You might have read or seen that Giannis Antetokounmpo was not at Bucks Media Day on Monday on account of having Covid-19 (which these days is endemic), only speaking via a video call to the assembled
press because he was still back in Greece. At the time, he was waiting for a negative test and/or medical clearance to travel. He’s apparently received it, as head coach Doc Rivers told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm after today’s practice that he’ll be meeting the team in Miami, where the Bucks will tip off their preseason against the Heat on Monday evening.
The Bucks themselves just finished the front half of their training camp—the portion taking place in Milwaukee at their own practice facility. Right now, they’re airborne to South Florida, where Giannis is heading to as well. Rivers said he would arrive either tonight or tomorrow morning. They’ll then continue daily practices at Florida International University for the second half of camp, gearing up to play Monday evening.
There’s no definitive word yet on whether Giannis will play, and the league doesn’t release injury reports during the preseason. But it’s a good sign he’s at least able to report to camp and hopefully will get up to speed pretty quickly. Some informal summer practices preceded camp in recent weeks, and it’s likely he was a part of some of those.
Also worth noting is that new point guard Cole Anthony wasn’t practicing fully, noted by Doc (per Nehm) that he did “everything but contact.” When asked what was bugging Anthony, Rivers said he had no idea. I guess we’re already in midseason form as far as press conferences go.