Giannis has sore knee, out for Bucks vs. T’Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS — Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the Saturday game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with right knee soreness, coach Mike Budenholzer announced prior to the game.

Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo got hit in the knee during the first quarter of Milwaukee’s last game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, but he finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds and played nearly 35 minutes. However, the Bucks decided to remain cautious with Antetokounmpo with hope to have him back in the lineup for the team’s next game Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

“It’s more, he and we are always kind of managing his knees and his health,” coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game. “I think it’s just part of the NBA schedule. We hope it’s short term, but we’ll see how he responds in the next day or two.”

Antetokounmpo had not missed a game since before the All-Star break Feb. 14, when he sat out the front end of a back-to-back. In 59 games this season, he is averaging 29.8 points (second in the NBA) with 11.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

The Bucks are gaining one addition to their lineup for Saturday, as guard Pat Connaughton will be cleared to play for the first time since fracturing a finger in his right hand Feb.10.

Connaughton is averaging a career-best 10.1 points on 40.7% from 3 in 54 games this season (18 starts) while stepping into his role as the Bucks’ sixth man.

“He’s obviously a very good player, but all these intangible things — competitiveness, togetherness, all the things we really hang our hat on — he has those at a high level,” Budenholzer said. “We’re very excited to add him. There’s been opportunities for others while he’s been injured, but now with him back, we feel like everybody is going to be better for it.”