Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: What happened and will the Bucks star return vs Cavaliers tonight?

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo left the court early during Monday's game against the Cavaliers. He will not return due to a left groin strain.

Updated on: Nov 18, 2025, 07:38:06 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo left the court early during Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team confirmed he will not return due to a left groin strain, with Jericho Sims stepping in at the start of the second half.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) stands on the court in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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What happened to Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Late in the second quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo fell after a layup attempt and limped off the court to the locker room. The Bucks confirmed he would not return after halftime, citing the groin strain. No specific timeline has been announced. Groin injuries can range from day-to-day absences for mild strains to multiple weeks for more severe injuries.

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Antetokounmpo played 13 minutes before exiting, recording 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists. He shot 6-of-10 from the field during that span.

Coming into Monday's game, Antetokounmpo was tied for second in the league in scoring at 32.6 points per game. He had been listed as probable due to left knee patellar tendinopathy.

He is also 57 points away from becoming the 42nd player in NBA history to reach 21,000 career points.

(With inputs from AP)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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