'Oh no': NBA fans devastated after 'horrible' Giannis moment

The NBA world has been shocked after Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with what appeared to be a brutal knee injury in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The two-time MVP went up to contest a lob as the Bucks took on the Atlanta Hawks in game four, colliding with opponent Clint Capela.

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Antetokounmpo landed awkwardly, bending his knee backwards and crying out in pain mid-way through the third quarter with the Bucks trailing 62-52.

He was eventually helped from the floor by brother and teammate Thanasis Antetokounmpo, gingerly walking to the locker room under his own power.

It's the second major injury to rock the Eastern Conference Finals, with star Hawks point guard Trae Young suffering a freak ankle injury after stepping on a referee's foot during game three.

After a short time in the locker room Antetokounmpo re-appeared on the Bucks bench a short time later, before again heading from the court.

The Bucks later announced he would not return to the game, with a left knee hyperextension.

Antetokounmpo is the latest in a spate of high-profile spate of injuries that have heavily disrupted the NBA Playoffs, with the likes of Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and James Harden all either playing through or ruled at through injury at various times.

The Greek superstar has averaged 29.2 points, 13.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 14 games in the 2021 playoffs.

Fans were absolutely dismayed by the latest superstar injury to tarnish the NBA Playoffs.

Milwaukee came into game four in Atlanta holding a 2-1 series lead over the fifth-seed Hawks.

Atlanta went on a run to extend their lead to 20 points after Antetokounkpo exited with the injury.

The Bucks are yet to provide any information as to the extent of the injury.

Cruel blow for Milwaukee Bucks during Eastern Conference Finals

The Bucks were riding high after an impressive victory in game three earlier in the week, punctuated by a 20-point fourth quarter from Khris Middleton which spurred them to the win.

The Antetokounmpo injury continued a run of freak injuries to rock the series after Young, the Hawks best player, scored 35 points for Atlanta but was slowed and finally subbed in the last quarter after stepping on a referee's foot late in the third.

He will undergo MRI scans on Monday to determine the full extent of the sprain but hopes to play Game 4 on Tuesday in Atlanta when they Hawks must attempt to level the series at 2-2.

Hawks coach Nate McMillan is not so sure.

"I don't know right now," McMillan said. "When he returned to the floor, he was obviously limping on that (ankle). When I subbed for him. we just decided to keep him out."

With Young hobbled, Khris Middleton was virtually unstoppable for the Bucks in the fourth quarter, scoring of his play-off career high-tying 38 points.

McMillan described Young's injury as "just a freaky accident" after the guard turned to run back on defence only to step on the foot of ref Sean Wright, who was standing just out of bounds.

But that didn't make it any less painful for Young.

"I didn't see (the referee)," he said. "I guess I've got to have eyes in the back of my head now to see who's behind me."

With AAP

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