Antetokounmpo is still unable to run, and the Milwaukee Bucks must be "ready" to play without him.
The latest health status is bad news for the Bucks, who are the real core of the Bucks.
With the Milwaukee Bucks heading into Game 3 in a 1-1 group, Antetokounmpo's fitness could determine whether they can regain control of this series in Indiana.
Unfortunately, according to the latest news, it will take some time for Brother Alphabet to return, and he hasn't even reached the stage of running or training against each other in rehab.
"I've been told that he's at least started making some static jumpers, and that's a big step forward for him. But there's still not a lot of cutting, there's no confrontation training, there's no running at all gear, that's the natural progression he needs.
He has problems with the Achilles tendon, hamstring and now calf in the same leg. Game 3 might be a bit reluctant, but I think the Bucks have to be ready to continue playing without their brother. ”
The Bucks were able to pull away even without Damian Lillard's 35-point first-half performance in Game 1 as the Pacers struggled to adjust to the playoff atmosphere.
In Game 2, Indiana responded big by relying on the performance of Pascal Siakam (37 points) to lead the team to a big victory. They looked more consistent in Game 2 and will likely play that way for the rest of the playoffs.
Even with Antetokounmpo, many pundits and commentators say that this series could be a surprise, and the play-offs are proof of how well they match with the Bucks' full strength.
So, without Antetokounmpo, it's no wonder that the Pacers are directly fancied to advance, and how dangerous they are when we see them excel on the offensive end in G2.
To be honest, if Brother Alphabet is on the floor, the Bucks' offense and defense will have to improve by multiple ranks, and they are not afraid of the Pacers.
The only save for the Bucks is for the next game until Friday local time, which gives him at least two days of adequate rest and recovery time before the team can play again.
As it stands, it's unlikely he'll play this week, but given that the season is coming to an end, it would be surprising if he didn't try to play.
If they lose in the first round, the Bucks will be in trouble, and a rebuild is inevitable, after all, Lillard can't lead the team alone.
Although Milwaukee's injury has given them a good excuse that the season won't go far, a first-round loss in 2024 would mark the second year in a row that they will lose in the first round after finishing in the top three in the East, which is unacceptable for a team with championship aspirations.
With a 2027 signing, he has an option for the 2027-28 season, but he could still force a move if he loses faith in their ability to win titles.
Similar to James Harden and his Bucks teammate Damian Lillard, he can always ask for a transfer if his frustration reaches the point of no return.
Regardless of how he feels at the moment, the team will certainly monitor the situation this summer and it will certainly get interesting if they fail to qualify for the first round again.
It's too much risk for the Bucks to lose this series. They paid a lot for Damian Lillard last summer, who turns 34 in July. If they don't win now, they could lose their chance at the title and potentially ruin their future with the two-time MVP.
Bottom line: It's over, Brother Alphabet can't run yet, and the Bucks will soon be eliminated.