With mere hours before the Milwaukee Bucks tip off against the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, a surprising bit of news came out on social media: Thanasis Antetokounmpo, older brother of Giannis and on the outside of the playoff rotation, is unavailable due to the league’s COVID protocols.
Bucks' Thanasis Antetokounmpo has entered health and safety protocols and is listed out for Game 5 of the NBA Finals vs. Suns.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2021
In strict basketball terms, Thanasis’ absence is unfortunate but largely inconsequential.