Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury draws troubling comment from Doc Rivers after Bucks-Cavs 1 Nov 17, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury draws troubling comment from Doc Rivers after Bucks-Cavs

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Nov 18, 2025 2:47 AM ET

It’s not a great time for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Looking to turn things around quickly following a 119-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Saturday, Milwaukee instead fell prey to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road on Monday, 118-106. That’s just the first time in the 2025-26 NBA season that Milwaukee has lost games consecutively.

What makes the situation even more troubling for the Bucks is the health status of Antetokounmpo, who was unable to finish the date with the Cavs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland due to a lower-body injury.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player left the game in the second quarter due to a left groin strain and is set to undergo an MRI on Tuesday, as shared by Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers reacts to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury after loss to Cavaliers

While the Bucks await for Antetokounmpo to have his MRI, Rivers offered his observation of the superstar forward during the game against Cleveland.

“Didn’t look great, I can tell you that,” Rivers said following the Cavaliers game, per Jamal Collier of ESPN. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”

“He grabbed it in the first quarter, and I asked him and he said it was fine,” Rivers added. “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.”

For what it’s worth, Collier reported that Antetokounmpo was not seen limping or needing assistance leaving Cleveland’s home — a good sign for the “Green Freak,” who put up 14 points and shot 6-for-10 from the field in the 13 minutes he was on the floor versus Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers.

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo to undergo medical procedure after suffering injury against Cavs 1 Nov 17, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee forward Kyle Kuzma (18) and Antetokounmpo (34) celebrate in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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