The Milwaukee Bucks, struggling through a middling start to the season, now face a major concern as star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo left Monday’s game with a left groin injury. Coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo will undergo an MRI on Tuesday following the team’s 118-106 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Antetokounmpo, apparently dealing with the injury from early in the game, committed a foul on Evan Mobley in the lane with 3:03 remaining before halftime, then immediately headed to the locker room.
“Didn’t look great, I can tell you that. We’ll know more tomorrow,” said the Bucks head coach.
Nov 17, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Rivers also noted that the injury appeared in the first quarter, as Giannis repeatedly grabbed his left groin before exiting the game.
Rivers: Giannis Antetokounmpo (groin) to undergo MRI on Tuesday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 18, 2025
“He grabbed it. I want to say that in the first quarter, I asked him, and then he said it was fine. Then I think he grabbed it again, and he said it was fine,” Rivers recalled. “And then the third time, when it happened. But I think it happened earlier, in my opinion. I don’t know that factually,” the Bucks coach continued.
Giannis Antetokounmpo sits out for the Bucks
Mar 8, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) sits on the bench during a time out against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The 30-year-old Bucks cornerstone finished with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four turnovers in just 13 minutes. Heading into the matchup, the two-time MVP was averaging 32.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per contest.
Across his 13-year NBA career, Antetokounmpo has averaged 24 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in 872 appearances, starting 807 of them. The nine-time All-Star played a central role in leading the Bucks to the 2020-21 NBA title.
Nov 17, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Missing Antetokounmpo for any stretch would be a major setback for Milwaukee, which had already suffered consecutive losses for the first time in the 2025-26 season. Earlier, the Bucks were soundly defeated at home by Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers, 119-95.
The Bucks have dropped three of its last four contests, slipping to 8-7 on the season. The Bucks will return to Fiserv Forum on Thursday to face the Philadelphia 76ers.