Rivers says Antetokounmpo is progressing but not yet healthy

PORTLAND (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers said that 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined by a left knee injury that has kept him out of five games.

“He’s progressing, he’s just not healthy,” Rivers said.

Antetokounmpo’s status has been tied to the debate over tanking and the player participation policy. The Bucks have lost 11 of their last 14 games and their chances of making the playoffs are slim.

The National Basketball Players Association on Tuesday issued a statement that appeared to call out the Bucks. The statement followed reports that Antetokounmpo wants to return.

“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court,” the union said in a statement. “Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked.”