Giannis Antetokounmpo has soleus strain in left calf; ruled out for regular season

Giannis Antetokounmpo exited Tuesday night’s game against the Boston Celtics with a strain of the left soleus muscle, which is one of two muscles that make up the calf in the lower leg.

It was a scary-looking injury for the 29-year-old, as he fell to the court suddenly and without contact with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Antetokounmpo couldn’t get up immediately without assistance, and once to his feet appeared unsteady. But he eventually walked off the court unassisted.

"Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI last night that confirmed the diagnosis of a left soleus (calf) strain," the team said in a statement on Wednesday. "He will miss the remaining three games of the regular season and receive daily treatment and evaluation."

Teammate Damian Lillard, who suffered a soleus injury in his right calf last season, said after the game it was a very painful injury to suffer. The point guard was injured on Nov. 20, 2022, and returned that Dec. 4.

What is the soleus muscle?

The calf is made up of two muscles, the soleus and the gastrocnemius. The Cleveland Clinic defined the soleus as a wide, flat muscle that "starts just below your knee, runs down your lower leg and connects to your Achilles tendon above your heel. Soleus injuries are less common because the muscle only crosses your ankle joint."

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What is the recovery time for a soleus strain?

A return to play depends on how severe the strain is and how the individual heals. The Bucks will not begin the playoffs until April 20 or 21, which would be a little less than two weeks from the original injury.

What is Giannis Antetokounmpo's history of leg injuries?

Antetokounmpo severely injured his left knee during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on June 29, 2021. Originally called a hyperextension, Antetokounmpo returned to play Game 1 of the NBA Finals on July 6.

He underwent surgery on that knee in June last year and was ready for training camp.

The two-time league MVP has managed injury and soreness in his knees for years, but this season he's also been listed on the injury report with left ankle soreness, tendinitis in his left Achilles and tendinopathy (pain and/or swelling) in his left hamstring.

He has been playing through that issue since March 10, and it had caused him to miss three games. He initially was questionable to play against the Celtics because of the discomfort in his left hamstring.