The NBA season has featured many injuries to begin the year, and now one of the league's brightest stars joins the list.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had to leave the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night after appearing to injure his groin. Antetokounmpo was off to a strong start this season, averaging over 32 PPG and 11 RPG, and is one of the early candidates for league MVP.
If Antetokounmpo must miss time, it will be a crushing blow to a Bucks team currently in a tight Eastern Conference. Here's the latest on Antetokounmpo's injury.
MORE: Victor Wembanyama sidelined with calf strain
What is Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury?
In the first half of Monday night's game against the Cavaliers, Giannis Antetokounmpo was forced to leave the game with a left groin injury. Antetokounmpo suffered the injury during a play, then intentionally fouled a player so he could leave the game.
While walking off the court, Antetokounmpo grabbed at his groin and immediately headed to the locker room.
That's the moment Giannis got hurt and left for the locker-room pic.twitter.com/R6J177bkaB
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) November 18, 2025
After the game, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo will undergo an MRI to determine the injury's severity.
"We won't know anything until tomorrow," Rivers said. "Didn't look great, I can tell you that."
On Monday, Antetokounmpo was diagnosed with a low-grade groin strain, which is just mild which should keep him out of games for just 1-2 weeks.
Rivers acknowledged after the the diagnosis and that the team avoided a bigger injury.
"I don't know what grade it is, but I know it's not a bad one, so that's good news for us," Rivers said. "Probably two weeks he'll be out — hopefully less."
How long is Giannis Antetokounmpo out?
The Bucks immediately ruled Antetokounmpo out for the game with a groin strain.
Groin strains typically require at least a few weeks to heal, and they could force players to be sidelined for months at a time if the injury is serious. Antetokounmpo's status will depend on how severe the injury turns out.
On Monday night, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo will miss 1-2 weeks with a low-grade groin strain, which is one of the better possible outcomes.
MORE: When will LeBron James return from injury?
Bucks schedule 2025
Here's a look at the next 10 games on the Bucks' schedule.
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV Channel |
| Nov. 20 | vs. 76ers | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Pistons | 8:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 24 | vs. Trail Blazers | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Nov. 26 | @ Heats | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Nov. 28 | @ Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Nov. 29 | vs. Nets | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Dec. 1 | @ Wizards | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Dec. 3 | vs. Pistons | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Dec. 5 | vs. 76ers | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Dec. 6 | @ Pistons | 8:00 p.m. |