Giannis out against Bulls with ankle injury

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo won't play Friday against the Chicago Bulls after suffering a right ankle sprain during the opening seconds of Thursday's loss to the Houston Rockets, the team announced.

The two-time reigning MVP was forced to exit Thursday's contest at the 11:14 mark of the first quarter after injuring his ankle on a Eurostep drive against Rockets center Kelly Olynyk.

Antetokounmpo, 26, split two free throws then sought treatment in the locker room before returning to the bench.

"I think we're hopeful that it's not serious," Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer told The Athletic's Eric Nehm following the game.

The Bucks face the Bulls in Chicago in the second game of a back-to-back before a crucial two-game homestand against the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and Tuesday.