Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo exited Monday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a left groin strain and is scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday, raising concerns about his immediate availability and impact on the team’s season. The injury occurred during a critical stretch as the Bucks strive to maintain competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.
Antetokounmpo left the court with about three minutes remaining in the second quarter, hobbling on defense before committing a foul and heading to the locker room. He was officially ruled out after halftime, having contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists in just 13 minutes of play. The Bucks went on to lose the game 118-106, dropping their record to 8-7 and suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
Head coach Doc Rivers expressed significant concern post-game, noting that the injury “didn’t look great” and that Antetokounmpo had been favoring his groin as early as the first quarter. Rivers revealed that the two-time MVP grabbed the area multiple times but initially reported he was fine before the situation worsened. “He grabbed it in the first quarter, and I asked him and he said it was fine,” Rivers explained. “Then, I think, he grabbed it again, and he said it was fine. Then, the third time is when it happened, but I think it happened earlier, in my opinion.”
The timing is particularly troubling given Antetokounmpo’s extraordinary start to the season, where he has averaged 32.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists through his first 12 games. His 36.4% usage rate ranks second in the NBA, underscoring his central role in Milwaukee’s offense. This performance had positioned him as a strong contender for his third MVP award, making any potential absence a significant blow to the team’s aspirations.
Milwaukee has already faced challenges without their star this season, posting a 1-1 record in games he has missed. The team is also dealing with the absence of Kevin Porter Jr., compounding their depth issues. Rivers acknowledged the difficulty ahead, stating, “If we got [Kevin Porter Jr.] out and Giannis out, that’s not great for our team, but we’re going to either find somebody or find something to run that will pay dividends later.”
This injury adds to a history of health concerns for Antetokounmpo, who missed 15 games last season due to various ailments. Despite those setbacks, he still delivered an MVP-caliber campaign, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists while leading the Bucks to their ninth consecutive playoff appearance. However, the team suffered a first-round exit for the third straight year, highlighting the importance of his availability for a deep postseason run.
The MRI results will be crucial in determining the severity of the strain and outlining a recovery timeline. In the meantime, the Bucks must prepare for potential games without their franchise player, relying on adjustments in strategy and increased contributions from role players. How the team navigates this period could shape their trajectory in a competitive Eastern Conference, with Antetokounmpo’s health remaining the pivotal factor in their championship hopes.
