Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing tonight vs Puerto Rico? Latest on 2x NBA MVP's availability (July 16)

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Greeks are back in the Olympics for the first time since 2008. Behind the Milwaukee Bucks star, Greece clinched a spot in the event going undefeated in the qualifying tournament early this month. The host team’s 80-69 victory over Croatia put them into Group A along with Australia, Canada and Spain.

As part of Greece’s preparation for the competition in Paris, the team will face Puerto Rico on Tuesday. Unfortunately, Antetokounmpo will not be available to play for coach Vasilis Spanoulis.

Harris Stavrou had this to report on X, formerly Twitter:

“Giannis Antetokounmpo is OUT for tomorrow's game against Puerto Rico because of an illness. The Greek Freak didn't travel to Thessaloniki with the team. Greek Federation is trying to arrange a final prep game before the 2024 Olympics, against Nikola Jokic's Serbia in Belgrade.”

The report did not give specifics about the illness but it doesn’t look like it will have a big impact on Antetokounmpo's overall preparation. He might be ready to suit up for the potential mouthwatering clash against Nikola Jokic and Serbia.

Greece fans will be happy knowing the reason Giannis Antetokounmpo will sit out versus Puerto Rico is not because of a calf strain. The two-time MVP couldn’t suit up for the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs because of that nagging issue.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf problems seem to be history already

The biggest question for the Greeks in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Piraeus was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s health. He vowed to suit up for the national team but it remained to be seen if he could be ready to do that. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star did not see a minute of playoff basketball in the NBA because of a calf strain.

Antetokounmpo didn’t show any signs of the calf issues that forced him to sit out the postseason. He averaged 22.5 points, three rebounds and two assists in Greece’s unbeaten run. The NBA All-Star forward took home the TISSOT MVP award for his impressive tournament.

The illness that will sideline Antetokounmpo versus Puerto Rico will not be a major issue. Once he deals with it, he should be ready to lead the Greeks’ bid to get a medal in the Olympics. Greece fans can breathe a sigh of relief it’s not his calf that will force him to be a cheerleader on Tuesday.

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