Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Undergoes Knee Injury Tests Ahead of 2023 FIBA World Cup

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is undergoing tests on his left knee prior to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst and eurohoops.net's Johnny Askounis and Vaggelis Ioannou.

Antetokounmpo recently underwent a "routine surgery" on his left knee, the Bucks told reporters in early July.

"He's scheduled, in the near future, to travel back to the U.S. to get a checkup on the progress coming off of that procedure, and then a final determination about him playing in the World Cup," Windhorst said Thursday.

Windhorst noted that the Greek national team has Antetokounmpo's status listed as "doubtful," but the Bucks star has not yet been ruled out of the tournament.

Windhorst's comments can be found around the 7:00 mark of the video below:

The FIBA World Cup begins in the Philippines on August 25.

Antetokounmpo has spent "a large chunk of the offseason in Greece," but practiced individually ahead of the World Cup instead of joining the team for training camp and exhibition games, Askounis and Ioannou reported.

If Antetokounmpo is cleared by doctors in the United States, he could join the Greek team for the first time during a friendly against a young Team USA roster on August 18, per Askounis and Ioannou. The team's final exhibition game comes on August 19 against Germany.

Windhorst noted that both the Bucks and the Greek national team are involved in the decision as to whether or not Antetokounmpo will be dressing for the tournament.

Antetokounmpo missed at least eight games with left knee soreness during the Bucks' 2022-23 season, per ESPN's Jamal Collier, so Milwaukee might be cautious in his return to the court.

Head coach Adrian Griffin said in July that the Bucks expects Antetokounmpo back in time for training camp. Even if Antetokounmpo is ruled out for the World Cup, Milwaukee will hope he remains set to make that deadline.

The Bucks superstar, who was one of six NBA players to average over 30 points per game last season, is eligible to sign a three-year contract extension between September 22 and the day before the start of the regular season.

Antetokounmpo is unlikely to ink a new deal until next season, given that he could extend for four years if he waits until 2024, but ensuring his injury recovery is handled correctly this summer could be the Bucks' best bet at ensuring he sticks with Milwaukee whenever he chooses to sign. The seven-time All-Star, who turns 29 in December, is currently locked in through 2025 with a player option through 2026.