Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in rematch against Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs will not have to deal with the Greek Freak on Monday night.

In a rematch of their contest on Saturday in Milwaukee, the Cavs host the Bucks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, but both teams are dealing with significant injuries.

The Cavs will avoid facing Giannis Antetokounmpo on Monday, as the Bucks’ star will sit out with a right adductor strain. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers broke the news during his pregame press conference, leaving Milwaukee without one of the NBA’s most dominant offensive and defensive presences. Antetokounmpo being out with a right adductor strain, according to Bucks head coach Doc Rivers during his pregame press conference.

“We kind of thought it going into this morning, and then when he worked out, we decided it after shootaround,” Rivers said. “I had decided in my own mind that he shouldn’t play tonight, right when they told me that he was sore. … For his health, I think it’s the right thing.”

This absence creates an opportunity for Cleveland to dissect the Bucks’ system without the threat of Antetokounmpo’s influence. Without him, Milwaukee’s offense becomes more predictable, as they will run through co-star Damian Lillard, who had 41 points in their last matchup.

But the Cavs are dealing with injuries of their own as Dean Wade (illness) and Caris LeVert (knee) join Max Strus (ankle), Emoni Bates (knee), and Jaylon Tyson (hip) on the injury list, leaving Cleveland with a limited rotation.

With Dean Wade and Caris LeVert sidelined, sources tell cleveland.com that Isaac Okoro, Cleveland’s defensive anchor on the perimeter, will make his first start of the season at small forward and likely take on the primary assignment against Lillard once again.

Okoro has developed a reputation as a tenacious on-ball defender, often drawing the toughest backcourt assignments. Last season, he logged significant minutes against Lillard, but in their first clash of 2024-25, Okoro once again demonstrated his eagerness to take on the league’s top perimeter threats. Despite Lillard starting hot, Okoro’s persistent defense held him to just six points on 2 of 5 shooting from the field and a mere 1 of 4 from deep over seven minutes as the closest defender, per NBA.com.

Over four matchups during the 2023-24 season, Okoro held Lillard to 26 points in over 24 minutes of being the closest defender. Lillard shot a poor 26.5% (9 for 34) from the field and 17.6% (3 for 17) from deep during those minutes.

Antetokounmpo’s absence may force the Bucks to rely more on outside shooting and perimeter actions, areas where — especially with Okoro in the starting unit — the Cavs’ length and mobility can be used to disrupt Milwaukee’s rhythm.

The Cavs’ injuries will test Cleveland’s depth and flexibility, particularly as they chase their eighth straight win, a feat that would tie their best start to a season since 1976-77.