Cavaliers beat Bucks 118-106 in game marred by Giannis injury Por Luís Henrique Costa
3 min de leitura
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Injury changes the outlook of the match
In the second quarter, Giannis left the court holding his groin area and never returned. The Bucks’ medical department diagnosed a right groin strain.
Kyle Kuzma helped keep Milwaukee close on the scoreboard with important baskets in the final minutes of the period. At halftime, the Cavaliers led by just two points: 59 to 57.
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Without Giannis, the Bucks relied more on the perimeter and aggressiveness of Gary Trent Jr. and Bobby Portis.
Cavaliers dominate the field in the absence of the Greek
The physical difference was evident in the final quarters. Cleveland scored 54 points in the painted zone compared to just 34 for the Bucks.
Sam Merrill, former Milwaukee player, hit six three-pointers for the home team. The third quarter ended 92-88 for the Cavaliers.
Game over with increased advantage
In the last period, AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. tried to react, reducing the difference to six points. Donovan Mitchell responded with decisive scoring runs.
The Cavaliers opened up 14 points in the final minutes and managed the result. The victory keeps Cleveland among the Eastern Conference leaders.
Numbers that explain the result
- Donovan Mitchell: 37 points, 7 assists
- Ryan Rollins: 24 points, 5 assists
- Sam Merrill: 6/8 on three-pointers
- Points in the bottle: Cavaliers 54 x 34 Bucks
- Rebounds: Cavaliers 48 x 42 Bucks
The Bucks’ two-game losing streak is their first in the 2025-2026 regular season.
Upcoming team appointments
Cleveland faces the Charlotte Hornets next Wednesday (19). Milwaukee hosts the Indiana Pacers on the same date.
The Bucks are awaiting new tests on Giannis to determine the recovery time from the groin injury.
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 118-106 on Sunday night (16), in a match held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, in Cleveland. The game turned around after Giannis Antetokounmpo left the court in the second quarter with a groin injury. Without the Greek star for the remainder of the match, the Bucks were unable to maintain their pace and suffered their second consecutive defeat of the season.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 37 points and seven assists. For Milwaukee, Ryan Rollins was the main scorer with 24 points and five assists.
The Bucks started dominating and took a 30-16 lead in the first few minutes, with Giannis directly or indirectly responsible for the team’s first 23 points.
Bucks’ overwhelming start doesn’t prevent upset
Milwaukee set a strong pace in the first quarter. Giannis converted layups in transition, hit mid-range shots and distributed accurate assists. Ryan Rollins and AJ Green contributed three-pointers.
The score reached 33 to 26 for the Bucks at the end of the opening period. The advantage, however, began to diminish when Donovan Mitchell began to command the Cavaliers’ attack.
Injury changes the outlook of the match
In the second quarter, Giannis left the court holding his groin area and never returned. The Bucks’ medical department diagnosed a right groin strain.
Kyle Kuzma helped keep Milwaukee close on the scoreboard with important baskets in the final minutes of the period. At halftime, the Cavaliers led by just two points: 59 to 57.
Without Giannis, the Bucks relied more on the perimeter and aggressiveness of Gary Trent Jr. and Bobby Portis.
Cavaliers dominate the field in the absence of the Greek
The physical difference was evident in the final quarters. Cleveland scored 54 points in the painted zone compared to just 34 for the Bucks.
Sam Merrill, former Milwaukee player, hit six three-pointers for the home team. The third quarter ended 92-88 for the Cavaliers.
Game over with increased advantage
In the last period, AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. tried to react, reducing the difference to six points. Donovan Mitchell responded with decisive scoring runs.
The Cavaliers opened up 14 points in the final minutes and managed the result. The victory keeps Cleveland among the Eastern Conference leaders.
Numbers that explain the result
- Donovan Mitchell: 37 points, 7 assists
- Ryan Rollins: 24 points, 5 assists
- Sam Merrill: 6/8 on three-pointers
- Points in the bottle: Cavaliers 54 x 34 Bucks
- Rebounds: Cavaliers 48 x 42 Bucks
The Bucks’ two-game losing streak is their first in the 2025-2026 regular season.
Upcoming team appointments
Cleveland faces the Charlotte Hornets next Wednesday (19). Milwaukee hosts the Indiana Pacers on the same date.
The Bucks are awaiting new tests on Giannis to determine the recovery time from the groin injury.