The NBA has concluded its investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to sit Giannis Antetokounmpo for the final 15 games of the 2025-26 season and will not take any further action, a league source confirmed to *The Athletic*. ESPN first reported the news.
Antetokounmpo, 31, sustained a left knee hyperextension after an awkward landing on a dunk during the third quarter of a March 15 win over the Indiana Pacers. He was subsequently held out for the remainder of the regular season. The 10-time All-Star forward and the Bucks held differing views on his ability to return to play, prompting the league to open an investigation on April 4.
The dispute between player and team began immediately after the injury. On March 17, then-head coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Antetokounmpo’s MRI came back clean. “The good news was it was a really good image, so there was no damage. Nothing,” Rivers said. “It was really just good news. But I don’t know the next part (about a timeline for his return).”
Despite Rivers’ positive assessment, the Bucks listed Antetokounmpo as out with a bone bruise stemming from the hyperextension. On March 18, *The Athletic* first reported that Antetokounmpo had rebuffed the team’s suggestion to shut him down for the season. While the Bucks were still in playoff contention, Antetokounmpo wanted to return, but Milwaukee continued to list him as out, insisting he was not medically cleared.
A week later, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) released a statement claiming Antetokounmpo was healthy and that the Bucks were forcing him to sit as a tanking ploy to improve their draft position. In response, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would investigate. “I’m available to play, but I’m not in the game,” Antetokounmpo told reporters on April 3. “I’m available to play today. Right now. I’m available. Do I look like I’m not available? … I don’t know what game is being played right here, I just don’t wanna be a part of it.”
The Bucks maintained that Antetokounmpo was not healthy. The league acknowledged “certain facts remain in dispute” when launching its investigation, including what Antetokounmpo had or had not been willing to do to get back on the court. After a monthlong review, the NBA decided no further action was necessary.