Giannis Antetokounmpo will take the court when the Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to Fiserv Forum on January 13, 2026. The star forward is not listed on the injury report and is fully expected to start the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Return to Form
This matchup marks his ninth consecutive appearance since recovering from a right calf strain. That injury sidelined him for eight games earlier in the season. Since his return, Antetokounmpo has shown no limitations on his performance or playing time.
Over the last eight games, he has posted impressive averages of 29.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per contest. In the recent loss to the Denver Nuggets on January 11, he logged 33 minutes and handled his normal workload without any visible issues.
Milwaukee's Performance With Giannis Back
Head coach Doc Rivers has highlighted Antetokounmpo's improved conditioning and consistency since returning to action. The Bucks have looked more stable with their franchise player back in the lineup, even if the win-loss record has not perfectly reflected that stability yet.
Milwaukee has posted a 5-3 record during this eight-game stretch with Antetokounmpo. This represents a clear improvement from the period without him, when the team lost six of eight games and slid down the Eastern Conference standings.
Game Context: Bucks vs Timberwolves
The Milwaukee Bucks enter this contest with a 17-22 record, needing victories to remain in the playoff conversation. They face a significant challenge against a Minnesota Timberwolves squad that has been more reliable this season, already accumulating 26 wins.
Minnesota's frontcourt, led by Julius Randle and Naz Reid, has presented problems for opposing stars throughout the season. Their interior defense will provide the primary test for Antetokounmpo, particularly during the early stages of the game.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Milwaukee Bucks:
- Ryan Rollins
- Kevin Porter Jr.
- AJ Green
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Bobby Portis
Minnesota Timberwolves:
- Mike Conley
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Jaden McDaniels
- Julius Randle
- Naz Reid
Injury Notes and Game Details
Taurean Prince remains unavailable for the Timberwolves following neck surgery. Myles Turner is listed as questionable due to illness and will receive evaluation closer to tip-off time.
The game is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. With Antetokounmpo fully available, Milwaukee is expected to rely heavily on their superstar early as they attempt to secure a much-needed home victory.
