Giannis Antetokounmpo Sidelines Against Cavaliers Due to Bruised Right Shoulder; Bucks Face Early Struggles in His Absence 🏀🤕

For a while, the Bucks could have to function without Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Due to a damaged right shoulder, Milwaukee’s best player missed their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. This is just the second time this season that he has been forced to start on the bench.

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Antetokounmpo participated at the team’s morning shootaround. This season, he is averaging 31.2 points and 11.4 rebounds. It wasn’t until 5:30 p.m., two hours before tipoff against the reigning champion Cavaliers, that he was listed on the official injury report.

Although not catastrophic, Antetokounmpo’s injury will need some rest, according to Bucks coach Adrian Griffin. On November 15, Antetokounmpo was absent. His teammates filled up for him, and they defeated Toronto 128–111.

“This is good for us,” Griffin remarked, adding that it’s not the same as having the two-time league MVP Antetokounmpo at his disposal. “It will provide opportunities for other players to play and earn some minutes on the court.”

Seven-time All-Star Antetokounmpo was also listed as injured prior to Sunday’s game against Sacramento, but he still participated and scored 27 points in Milwaukee’s 143-142 overtime triumph, which culminated in a last-second 3-pointer from Damian Lillard.

A graphic featuring a photo of Brook Lopez. Text on the graphic reads, "Bucks 67, Cavaliers 108."

Antetokounmpo, 29, had participated in 29 straight games, which was his greatest run since he played in 31 straight during the 2020–21 campaign.

Griffin has the luxury of having a postseason-tested Milwaukee club and Lillard, who is averaging 25.2 points in his first campaign with the Bucks.

A photo of Giannis Antetokounmpo boarding a plane in a big green jacket.

With Antetokounmpo out of the lineup, Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff was quite certain of how the Bucks would adapt.

He declared, “There’s more Dame Lillard, more Dame Lillard, more Dame Lillard.” It’s not intended as a jab at the other guys. They’ve taken home the title. Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez are two individuals who have helped win a championship. People who think like that find you intimidating because they think they can achieve great things.

The Bucks anticipate having backup forward Jae Crowder, who hasn’t played since November 11 due to a ruptured adductor muscle, in place of Antetokounmpo. As he eases his way back, Crowder probably has a minutes limit in place.