The Milwaukee Bucks got in a practice at home before flying to Indianapolis on Thursday afternoon, but star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo remained out of full participation.

Head coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo "did a lot of floor stuff today, probably the most I've seen."

Rivers added the 29-year-old did no live practicing, but advanced beyond just walking through drills by "shooting and moving."

Antetokounmpo has come out of the Bucks' practices for the first round as doubtful to play before ultimately being ruled out prior to Games 1 and 2 of the first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers. Game 3 is Friday with a 4:30 p.m. CT tipoff. Game 4 is Sunday.

"He's getting close," Rivers said. "But, I don't know what that even means. I'm being honest. I saw him moving around and in my mind I said he's getting close. Does that mean a day, four days? I'm not sure."

Khris Middleton does not practice with ankle injury

All-star forward Khris Middleton rolled his right ankle in the first quarter of the Bucks' loss Tuesday when he stepped on the foot of Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, and was visibly in pain afterward. Middleton would go to the locker room to get his ankle re-taped and returned to action, playing 36 minutes. He went 6-for-14 from the field for 15 points.

Middleton did not participate in any part of Thursday's session. When asked if there is concern Middleton misses Game 3, Rivers said, "Yeah, there's a little for sure. It's another holding our breath situation. So, honestly, I don't know."

More: Khris Middleton took Aaron Nesmith under his wing. Now they are battling in NBA playoffs

When did Giannis get hurt?

April 9, in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics. Antetokounmpo inbounded the ball and began to stride up the court before hesitating and sitting on the court.

When will Giannis return?

That is undetermined, though Rivers had said early on the Bucks had been encouraged by his progress. Antetokounmpo had been on the court in some capacity for most of the week of April 15.

Antetokounmpo was initially in a walking boot for the team’s home finale on April 10, but has been without since the Bucks returned to action in the playoffs April 21.

More: How Giannis Antetokounmpo learned to get over himself to play the best basketball of his career

What is the soleus muscle?

Antetokounmpo suffered a strain of the left soleus muscle, which is one of a trio of muscles in the lower leg that are commonly referred to as the calf. The soleus is the deeper of the muscles. The gastrocnemius and plantaris are the other muscles. The soleus and the gastrocnemius come together at the Achilles tendon.

Bucks guard Damian Lillard suffered a strained soleus in 2022 playing for the Portland Trail Blazers and missed 15 days before returning to action.

Why Giannis missed Game 2

The Bucks did not rule Antetokounmpo out for the first game of the series until pregame on April 21, but they did so much earlier in the day before Game 2 on Tuesday.He had not practiced the entire week and did not warm up before the game, but Rivers had said practicing would not be required for Antetokounmpo to play."Shot today, he was on the floor a bunch, so he's getting closer," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said before Game 2.

What is the Bucks record without Giannis?

• 1-1 in the 2024 playoffs after Tuesday’s loss. Over his career, the Bucks are 4-3 in playoff games he misses.

• 4-5 in the 2023-24 regular season, which included victories over playoff teams Phoenix, Orlando and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Bucks also held on to beat the Celtics on April 9 when Antetokounmpo exited the game early with the injury.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks 'holding our breath' on Khris Middleton; Giannis injury update