Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 40 points not enough as Bucks fall to Cavs 1 Oct 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

'I was scrambling': Doc Rivers opens up on adjusting to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sudden absence

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Nathan Yasis | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The outcome likely would have remained the same even if Giannis Antetokounmpo had suited up. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar showed up to Fiserv Forum in full Minion attire, creating a lighthearted scene that had fans and coach Doc Rivers expecting a fun Halloween matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. But roughly thirty minutes before the game began, Milwaukee announced that Antetokounmpo would miss the contest due to left knee soreness.

When Giannis sat out his first game of the 2025-26 campaign, head coach Doc Rivers spoke about what went through his mind upon hearing the update.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know; they came in, told me he was out. I don’t even know what it is because it was so late; I was scrambling, trying to figure out what we were going to do.”

A last-minute lineup change can rattle any coach, particularly when the player sitting out happens to be a two-time MVP.

Doc Rivers relies on Ryan Rollins in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence

“I was scrambling”: Doc Rivers opens up on adjusting to Giannis Antetokounmpo's sudden absence 4 Apr 6, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and guard Ryan Rollins (13) walk to the locker room after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Even after seeing Giannis on the injury report, things were still a bit of a whirlwind for Rivers. He had to rely on former Warriors guard Ryan Rollins, and what a performance it turned out to be. Rollins had a career night, pouring in a game-high 32 points along with three rebounds, eight assists, and just one turnover in 36 minutes. That single turnover had Rivers joking with reporters that he had to hold himself back from getting on Rollins too hard before he risked taking him out of the game.

Rollins stayed locked in for the remainder of the game, knocking down jumpers while matching up against any Warrior defender.

“I was scrambling”: Doc Rivers opens up on adjusting to Giannis Antetokounmpo's sudden absence 5 Oct 30, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) reacts in the 4th quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Warriors received strong performances from Stephen Curry with 27 points, Jonathan Kuminga with 24, and Jimmy Butler III with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but 22 turnovers and the Bucks’ clutch shooting kept them on their heels for most of the night. The ESPN box score showed the Bucks knocking down 19 of 46 three-pointers, a 41.3 percent clip, while committing just 16 turnovers themselves. Those extra possessions and timely shots from deep made the difference down the stretch.

The Bucks adapted under Doc Rivers when the game went off course. They spread the load instead of trying to replace Antetokounmpo with one player, attacked early-clock three-pointers, and leaned on Rollins to lead the offense.

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

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