Joe Prunty believes Giannis Antetokounmpo will return 'sooner rather than later'

CHICAGO - Milwaukee Bucks all-star Giannis Antetokounmpo did not travel with the team for their game Friday in Chicago after suffering a sprained right ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Antetokounmpo's absence, however, may not necessarily signal a major issue. He recently underwent an MRI, which only revealed minor swelling in the joint.

Still, it's not clear how long he will be sidelined.

Antetokounmpo rolled that same ankle Feb. 4 and stayed down on the court for a few moments in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets. He didn't return to that game — a contest in which the Bucks finished off easily without him — and didn't miss any further games. That game also featured a right ankle sprain by Matthew Dellavedova, who has not played since.

Asked Friday about whether Antetokounmpo's sprain would involve a quick turnaround or could linger like Dellavedova's, Bucks coach Joe Prunty couldn't offer a timeline, but intimated Antetokounmpo's situation would not resemble Dellavedova's.

“In all honesty, I can’t give you an honest answer and say this is exactly when he’s coming back, but I believe it will be sooner rather than later," Prunty said.

Antetokounmpo's absence marks his fifth missed game of the season, with the first four coming as part of a management plan revolving around Antetokounmpo's right knee.

With Antetokounmpo out, Bucks forward Jabari Parker moved into the starting lineup for his first game in his hometown since Dec. 31, 1996.

Parker, who has had his minutes managed since returning on Feb. 2 from his second rehab from a torn left ACL, logged a season-high 30 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Clippers. There's nothing stopping him from doing so again against the Bulls. 

“If we can stretch him out to that many minutes — if we need to — we will," Prunty said.