Giannis Antetokounmpo Reportedly Plans to Return Tonight for Pivotal Game 4

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to return to action tonight barring setbacks, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The two-time MVP injured his lower back after a hard fall in Game 1, forcing him to miss both Game 2 in Milwaukee and Game 3 in Miami. The Bucks were able to even the series in Game 2 but fell behind again during their first battle in South Beach.

At risk of falling down 3-1 to the No. 8 seeded Heat, there is no question Antetokounmpo’s likely return is significant news. Only 13 teams in NBA history have been able to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs, so finding a way to even up the series before traveling back to Milwaukee is surely in the Bucks’ best interest.

The question now is, if Antetokounmpo returns tonight, will he look like himself? He’s only played roughly 11 minutes in the team’s last six games (rested the final three contests of the regular season). Combine that with the fact that back injuries can linger, and Antetokounmpo looking like 100 percent isn’t a gimme.