Bucks HC Doc Rivers shares troubling injury update on Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks' worst fears were realized on Sunday when head coach Doc Rivers announced that star Giannis Antetokounmpo would miss Game 1 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. 

The news isn't a surprise for the Bucks, but how Rivers delivered it casts doubt on Antetokounmpo's status moving forward. Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Rivers said the two-time MVP looked better as he continues to rehab from a left calf injury but added that he didn't "have a sense of when" he could return.  

As the postseason approached, being without Antetokounmpo for the start of the Pacers series was expected. However, the belief was that he'd return before its conclusion. But now, things seem a little more touch-and-go. 

On Friday, insider Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo could miss two to four weeks of action. While he did leave the door open for a "superhuman" return earlier than expected, he preached the serious nature of the injury, which could be easily reaggravated should Antetokounmpo return to the floor too early. 

"The last thing the Bucks and Giannis would want is for him to get back and rushed onto the floor with a calf injury not being 100%," Charania said. 

Regardless of when Antetokounpo returns, the Bucks must deal with the reality of playing without him. Though, with an experienced roster including several NBA champions, Milwaukee seems ready for the challenge. 

All-Star point guard Damian Lillard said finding a way to win without the team's unquestioned leader won't be "difficult." 

"It's the best team I've been on. So we're capable. We can win games," Lillard told Eric Nehm of The Athletic. "And when we get (Antetokounmpo) back, we'll be even better. So I think that's how I'm looking at it."