Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to be sidelined for one to two weeks due to a mild strain in his left groin, according to ESPN. This season, Giannis is impressively averaging 31.2 points per game, ranking fourth in the NBA, and 10.8 rebounds per game, which places him seventh. Notably, he stands out as the lone player averaging at least 30 points and 10 rebounds per game. During Monday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which the Bucks lost 118-106, Giannis was ejected in the second quarter after playing with groin pain from the first quarter. Before leaving, he had contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
At 30 years old, Giannis is having a stellar year, pushing career highs with his points, field goal percentage at 63%, and assists averaging 6.8 per game. The Bucks currently hold an 8-7 record overall and are 1-1 without Giannis in the lineup, following two consecutive losses. His absence presents a significant challenge for Milwaukee, who have a +7.1 net rating when he’s on the floor—fourth best in the league—but fall to a -11.9 net rating, the fourth worst, when he’s off.
There is some concern that missing games could impact Giannis’s bid for another MVP award. The NBA mandates a minimum of 65 games played for eligibility for several end-of-season honors. Giannis, a two-time MVP, currently has +1500 odds to win the award at FanDuel Sportsbook, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+135), Nikola Jokic (+175), and Luka Doncic (+400). Having already missed two games, a one-week absence would increase that to missing three games, and two weeks would add seven missed games.
Fan Take: Giannis’s injury is a big blow not just to the Bucks but to the NBA’s competitive balance, as he is one of the league’s most dominant players. His potential absence from crucial games could shift momentum in the season and influence MVP race dynamics, making every match without him critical to watch.
