The change Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to make after returning from injury

Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke about the nearly six full weeks it took him to return from a right calf strain Monday night after the Bucks’ 108-81 loss to the Celtics.

The Bucks star finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in his first game since Jan. 23 against the Nuggets.

Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game that he was used to returning to the field sooner than expected in the past, but now he realizes that age is catching up with him a little.

“I’m 31 years old, I have to be smarter moving forward because the things I was able to do in the past, I probably can’t do now,” he said. “And I have to be more methodical in my rehabilitation, the way I take care of my body, the way I play, but yeah, that’s it. Going forward, I have to be smarter.”

His calf injury recurred this season, forcing him to miss 29 matches.

He averaged 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game in the 30 contests in which he played.

Antetokounmpo played 25 minutes Monday night in the loss and said he felt “a little rusty.”

He added: “But it is clear that there is something new in my career, as I am away for a long period and not just once, but several times in a season.” “Definitely a knock on my rhythm, but at the end of the day, I’m just trying to take it day by day, game by game, and I’m happy to be back. I’m just happy to be on the field. It doesn’t matter if I play 18 minutes, 20 minutes, 22 minutes, whatever, I’m just happy to be out there.”

“I’m just in the mindset of trying not to take anything for granted. Obviously I didn’t play well tonight, but at the end of the day, I’m just happy that I’m able to help my teammates in any way I can and do what I love, which is play basketball.”

The game was Antetokounmpo’s first game since the NBA trade deadline, when all eyes were on the Bucks and their star player as a team. Explore their options moving forward.

Rumors have circulated that Antetokounmpo might want to move out of Milwaukee, though he has denied it.

The Bucks have continued their push to make the playoffs, and are three and a half games behind the Hornets for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.