Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing tonight against Orlando Magic? Latest on Bucks superstar's availability for Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinal (Dec. 10)

The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Orlando Magic in the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal on Monday and Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to suit up and take the court for the home team. Antetokounmpo's status is listed as a day-to-day and he was upgraded to "probable" for Tuesday's game at the Fiserv Forum.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, the Bucks (12-11) have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA over the last month. Since Nov. 12, Milwaukee has a 10-3 record and lost just one game at home. During the Emirates NBA Cup group stage, Doc Rivers' team had a perfect 4-0 record and will head into the competition's knockout round as the No. 1 seed in the East.

Antetokounmpo was dealing with a knee issue coming into Tuesday's matchup but he should be ready to start for the critical home game. The Greek superstar has played in 21 of the team's 23 games so far this season.

In Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets, Giannis played 38 minutes and was a key contributor for the Bucks. He finished with a game-high 34 points, shooting 14-of-22 from the field. He also chipped in with 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

Over his last eight games, the Bucks big man has recorded 30 or more points on seven occasions. That includes two forty-points games against the Chicago Bulls (41) and Washington Wizards (42).

Antetokounmpo's most notable game of the season came against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 13. The 6-foot-11 center finished with a whopping 59 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the early favorites for the 2024-25 MVP crown after a strong start to the season

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Dom Barlow at Frost Bank Center (Credits: IMAGN)

The Milwaukee Bucks may be languishing in the No. 6 position in the Eastern Conference standings, but Giannis Antetokounmpo has been outstanding over the first two months of the season. The center is an early favorite for the 2024-25 MVP award after a series of dominant performances to start the campaign.

Antetokounmpo leads the league in scoring with an average of 32.5 ppg and ranks fifth with 11.6 rpg.

Milwaukee has relied heavily on their superstar over the early stage of the season. Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks roster in points and rebounds and ranks second in assists, blocks and minutes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time league MVP after winning back-to-back crowns in 2019 and 2020. The 30-year-old has been in exceptional form and will be in contention to lock up another MVP award if he continues to play the way he has.

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