MIAMI – Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Tuesday’s 106-103 win over the Heat due to swelling in his left knee.

Antetokounmpo, who was probable based on the team’s injury report leading up to Tuesday’s game despite dealing with a calf injury, went through shootaround Tuesday morning and did his pregame warm-up before feeling the discomfort in his knee felt.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers was told Antetokounmpo was out about an hour before the game, then huddled with coaches and adjusted the game plan accordingly. Even after the game, Rivers still wasn’t clear on what had happened and what was flaring up Antetokounmpo’s knee.

“Giannis doesn’t miss many games,” Rivers said. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it was the right thing to do.”

The Bucks don’t play again until Saturday night in Milwaukee, giving Antetokounmpo a few days to recover before their next game.

Damian Lillard carried the load while Antetokounmpo was sidelined, posting a game-high 37 points and 12 assists.

“It’s always done by committee,” Lillard said after the game. “Everyone will have to step up a bit with such a hole in our lineup, but I know the guys will look to me to step up.”

Antetokounmpo has been on a tear this season, averaging a career-high 32.4 points on 60.8% shooting to go, with 11.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He sat out his second game of the season; he also sat out in a 116–114 loss on November 4 to the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a right adductor strain.

Despite missing their two-time MVP, the Bucks earned their fifth straight victory on Tuesday, moving their season record to .500 (9-9). It’s a big improvement over the team’s disastrous 2-8 start to the season.

“We’re 2-8 and we don’t feel good about it, but our team stays together, keeps fighting and looking ourselves in the mirror like, ‘What do we need to get better at? What do we need to change?’ We did that,” Lillard said.

“It’s not something we look at and celebrate, but it’s the fact that we’re going in the right direction with the way we’re playing. We’re beating good teams. We’re winning at home. We’re winning on the road, a game like tonight, without Giannis. The way we are doing is sustainable and it shows that we are doing what we wanted to do this season.”