Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo left Monday night’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers early due to a left groin strain, contributing to the Bucks’ 118-106 loss at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The 30-year-old forward, averaging 32.6 points per game this season, was sidelined after a painful play in the second quarter.

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Injury Details

Antetokounmpo sustained the injury while attempting a post move against Jarrett Allen. He fell awkwardly after missing a layup and immediately clutched his groin in visible discomfort. Although he returned to the court briefly, it became clear he was not moving normally, and he limped off the floor at halftime.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers confirmed that Antetokounmpo would undergo imaging on Tuesday, but provided no definitive timeline for his return. “We won’t know anything until tomorrow,” Rivers said. “Didn’t look great, I can tell you that.”

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First-Half Performance

Before leaving the game, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 14 points and five rebounds. He has been a dominant force this season, trailing only Luka Dončić in league scoring while averaging 11.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. His absence was immediately felt as the Bucks struggled to keep pace with the Cavaliers in the second half.

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Game Recap: Cavaliers Pull Away

At halftime, the Bucks trailed by only two points, but without Antetokounmpo, Cleveland gradually pulled away, ultimately winning 118-106. Key performers for the Cavaliers included:

• Donovan Mitchell: 37 points, 7 assists
• Sam Merrill: 20 points, including six 3-pointers
• Evan Mobley: 14 points

The victory improved Cleveland’s record to 10-5, while Milwaukee fell to 8-7, marking their second consecutive loss. Ryan Rollins led the Bucks with 24 points, shooting 5-of-10 from three-point range, and Myles Turner contributed 15 points and seven rebounds.

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Bucks Look Ahead

The Bucks return home to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, kicking off a three-game homestand at Fiserv Forum. The team will rely on other contributors to step up while monitoring Antetokounmpo’s recovery.

Antetokounmpo’s health will be critical for Milwaukee’s playoff aspirations, as the two-time NBA MVP continues to be the cornerstone of the team’s success and a key factor in their scoring, rebounding, and playmaking.