The 2025-26 season was one defined by a series of lows for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, namely on the injury front. 

Antetokounmpo played in just 36 games this season, a career-low by nearly 30 games. While he was his usual effective self while he was playing, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, a series of injuries kept him off the floor while the Bucks continued to sink lower and lower in the standings.

First, Antetokounmpo missed three weeks due to a right calf strain that he suffered in early December 2026, then re-injured that right calf in late January, causing him to miss another 15 games. 

He finally returned to action in early March 2026, but after playing in just six games Antetokounmpo suffered yet another injury, this time hyperextending his left knee and suffering a bone bruise that ended his season.

Although he tried to force a comeback at the end of 2026 and even prompted  a NBA investigation into the Bucks when he complained to the media that the organization wasn't clearing him play even though he maintained that he was healthy.

The amount of injuries that he suffered and where he suffered them, in his calf and knee, represent a huge piece of concern for the Bucks. Antetokounmpo's dominance in basketball has been built on the foundation of his athleticism and explosiveness and those injuries in particular could threaten those qualities.

Which is why the recent update that Antetokounmpo gave on his health in an interview with ANT1, a Greek broadcaster.

Antetokounmpo revealed that while he won't be able to participate in the Greek national team's qualifying windows this summer for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, he's looking forward to playing on the international stage in 2027. 

"I cannot play in the World Cup qualifying windows. I really wanted to play with the national team, because I did no play much with the Bucks this season due to injury. Now that I'm healthy, I wanted to play, but we will wait until 2027," Antetokounmpo said (via EuroHoops). 

He also gave the most promising, albeit simple, update. That his "legs are fine."

Antetokounmpo's returning health is great news for the Greek national team for the FIBA World Cup, but it's even better news for the Bucks, who are looking to get back on track under the leadership of new head coach Taylor Jenkins.

As this past season revealed, the Bucks need to Antetokounmpo on the court in order to succeed and if all goes well, the injury-riddled 2026-26 season will be a one-time thing for the Greek Freak.