The Milwaukee Bucks are likely to open their first NBA Finals since 1974 without their two-time MVP.Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) has been listed as doubtful for Game 1 of the Finals, scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Antetokounmpo has been out considering that the third quarter of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals, in which he hyperextended his left knee while landing in the paint. He would miss the Bucks next 2 games, but the team still managed to put away the Atlanta Hawks (also dealing with an injury to Trae Young), to win the series in 6 games.In Antetokounmpos absence, the Bucks raised Bobby Portis to starter and were rewarded with approximately 17 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists with zero turnovers in Games 5 and 6. When will Giannis Antetokounmpo return?Antetokounmpos health stays the biggest question towering above the NBA Finals. Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes reported before Game 6 of the ECF that there was a belief Antetokounmpo might have received the thumbs-up in a possible Game 7 on Monday, however a Game 1 certainly brings much less seriousness for the team.Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer reported earlier Monday that Antetokounmpo had actually enhanced enough to do on-court work, though decreased to say what the star was precisely doing on the court, per ESPNs Malika Andrews.Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams stated Sunday that his team was preparing as if Antetokounmpo would play, however with a backup strategy in case he does not. If Antetokounmpo is not able to wear, it will continue a run of playoff challengers well below 100 percent for the Suns, who have actually defeated the Los Angeles Lakers with Anthony Davis considerably hobbled by a groin injury, the Denver Nuggets without Jamal Murray and the Los Angeles Clippers without Kawhi Leonard. Obviously, the Bucks have also faced the Hawks with Young hobbled, the Brooklyn Nets with Kyrie Irving and James Harden out for much of the series and the Miami Heat without Victor Oladipo. Such is life in the NBA in 2021. Story continuesMore from Yahoo Sports:
