June 30 (UPI) -- Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo avoided a significant left knee injury after landing awkwardly during Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night.
The Bucks said in a statement Wednesday that Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI and subsequent examination, both of which confirmed the earlier diagnosis of a hyperextended left knee. The exams revealed no structural damage in the knee.
Milwaukee listed Antetokounmpo as doubtful for Game 5 in Milwaukee on Thursday night. The best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece.
"We'll just take it day by day and see how he's doing," Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said of Antetokounmpo. "When you talk about the range of possibilities, I think where this has landed has to be looked at as a positive. It's still a really difficult fall."
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Antetokounmpo was forced to exit Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks with a little over seven minutes left in the third quarter after he jumped to contest an alley-oop pass from John Collins to Clint Capela and landed awkwardly, causing his left knee to buckle.
The two-time NBA MVP immediately collapsed to the floor and remained on the ground for several minutes as he grimaced in pain. He eventually limped to the locker room and later returned to the bench, but he was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists over 37.4 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Game 5 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT Thursday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
