The Milwaukee Bucks will be without their talisman, Giannis Antetokounmpo, when they travel to face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The Bucks have officially ruled out the two-time MVP due to a right calf strain, dealing a significant blow to their chances in a crucial Eastern Conference matchup.
Official Injury Report Confirms Absence
The NBA's official injury report, released late morning on game day, listed Antetokounmpo as out for the contest. There has been no last-minute upgrade to his status, and the team has indicated he is not close to a return for this fixture. This continues a pattern of physical issues for Giannis this season, who has previously managed knee tendinopathy.
Milwaukee's injury woes extend beyond their superstar. Forward Taurean Prince also remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from neck surgery. The absence of these two key rotation pieces leaves the Bucks severely short-handed as they attempt to snap their inconsistent run of form.
Impact on the Bucks' Game Plan
Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence creates a massive void on both ends of the floor. The Bucks lose their primary scorer, rebounder, and defensive anchor. His season averages have been stellar, hovering around 34 points and 13 rebounds in earlier games.
Without his dominant interior presence, Milwaukee's offense is expected to shift towards a slower, more deliberate half-court style. The responsibility for creating and converting scoring opportunities will fall heavily on the supporting cast, requiring others to step up significantly.
Pacers Also Grappling With Injury Crisis
The Indiana Pacers are in no better shape, facing a potentially more severe injury crisis. Their franchise cornerstone, Tyrese Haliburton, remains out long-term with a right Achilles tear. Key contributors Aaron Nesmith (left knee MCL injury) and Obi Toppin (right foot issue) are also sidelined.
Furthermore, the Pacers have a lengthy list of players listed as questionable, including T.J. McConnell (knee), Johnny Furphy (ankle), and Isaiah Jackson (head). This decimates their depth and severely limits the team's rotational flexibility, turning the game into a battle of attrition.
What to Expect in the Matchup
This game, scheduled for a 7:00 PM ET tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, has lost its marquee attraction with Giannis sidelined. Historically, he has torched the Pacers, regularly scoring over 31 points in recent meetings. His absence removes that constant pressure from Indiana's defense.
With both teams' rosters depleted, the contest is likely to be physical, uneven, and dictated more by which team has enough healthy bodies than by intricate tactics. The Pacers' preferred style of pace and space will be hard to execute, while the Bucks must find new ways to generate offense. The focus for both squads, each struggling to stay afloat in the standings with records of 11-18 (Milwaukee) and 6-23 (Indiana), will simply be on grinding out a result.
