Giannis Antetokounmpo exits the game vs Heat early with a back injury / News - Basketnews.com

Giannis landed full force on his lower back after getting fouled by Kevin Love. Two minutes after the episode, he was subbed off and did not return to the game.

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a defeat in Game 1 of the 1st Round playoff series against the Miami Heat. On top of that, the team lost its leader Giannis Antetokounmpo early in the game due to an injury.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Jimmy Butler Points 35 Accuracy 15-27 Rebounds 5 Assists 11

With 4 minutes and 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Giannis drove to the basket and was stopped with a foul by Kevin Love. The Greek Freak tried to score on the play but landed with full force on his lower back.

Giannis continued to play for two more minutes but was subbed off with 1:46 to go in the first quarter. The Bucks later announced that their superstar forward would not come back to the game.

After the game, the club's head coach Mike Budenholzer told the media during the press conference that the X-rays came back negative. "We'll monitor him and see how he wakes up tomorrow," the coach said.

In over 10 minutes of play, Antetokounmpo managed to score 6 points and grab 3 rebounds.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday night.

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