Giannis Antetokounmpo has received an encouraging injury update after the Miami Heat listed him as probable for their upcoming meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers due to a right wrist sprain.
The update comes after Miami suffered a 138-117 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving them with a 2-5 record in Antetokounmpo’s first season with the franchise.
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The two-time MVP finished that loss with 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists but was left frustrated by the Heat’s defensive performance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to play despite wrist injury
According to the NBA’s official injury report, Antetokounmpo is listed as probable for Miami’s clash with the Clippers. The designation suggests the Heat expect their star forward to feature, although his availability will be confirmed closer to tip-off.
The injury emerged after Antetokounmpo took a hard fall while driving towards the basket against the Lakers. He was seen grabbing his wrist before returning to the game and finishing with 34 minutes on the court.
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However, his biggest concern after the defeat was not his fitness but Miami’s lack of defensive effort.
“We’re not playing hard enough,” Antetokounmpo told reporters, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “We’ve got to play harder. We’ve got to have some pride.”
The Lakers shot 57.3 per cent from the field and made 19 three-pointers, exposing the Heat’s defensive problems. Miami also conceded 60 points in the paint as Luka Doncic finished with 42 points and 13 assists.
Despite the difficult start, Antetokounmpo has not lost belief in the team’s potential following his move from the Milwaukee Bucks.
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“I’m just a basketball player. I just came here to compete. Do I think we have the pieces? Yeah. Do I think we got a lot of things to figure out? We have a lot,” he said.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra has also refused to use the team’s new-look roster as an excuse, while Bobby Portis acknowledged that building chemistry takes time.
The Heat now turn their attention to the Clippers, who have lost six consecutive games. With Antetokounmpo expected to feature, Miami will have an opportunity to respond, but improving their defensive effort remains the priority.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
