Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing? Updates on Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma
Bucks speak on win over Raptors, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s historic night
Doc Rivers, Gary Trent Jr., Cole Anthony and Giannis Antetokounmpo speak on win over Raptors on Oct. 24, 2025 in Toronto.
- The Milwaukee Bucks suffered their first loss of the season to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 118-113.
- Both teams were shorthanded due to injuries, with the Bucks missing three key players.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 40 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.
CLEVELAND – The Milwaukee Bucks lost for the first time on the young season, falling 118-113 to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on Oct. 26.
Each team was shorthanded, with the Bucks missing starter Kevin Porter Jr. and top subs Kyle Kuzma and Cole Anthony while the Cavaliers were without all-star Darius Garland and Max Strus.
Milwaukee (2-1) did a solid job on Cleveland (2-1) star Donovan Mitchell (9 of 20 shooting) overall but he did sore 10 of his team-high 24 points in the decisive fourth quarter to help stave off a furious Bucks rally that saw them overcome an 18-point third quarter deficit to tie the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 40 points on 14 of 20 (70%) shooting and was 11 of 16 from the free throw line. He also pulled down 14 rebounds and had nine assists and two steals in just over 33 minutes. AJ Green scored 20 points, including a fading 30-footer with 4.2 seconds left that made it 114-112, but Evan Mobley knocked down two free throws for Cleveland after that to clinch the win.
Ryan Rollins (14), Myles Turner (13) and Bobby Portis Jr. (10) all reached double figures for the Bucks. Mobley had 23 for the Cavaliers while Sam Merrill scored 17. De’Andre Hunter scored 16 and Lonzo Ball added 11.
The Bucks head back to Milwaukee for a three-game homestand following the game against Cleveland and host the Knicks on Oct. 28.
Bucks turn it over in fourth quarter turning point
Milwaukee came all the way back from an 18-point third quarter deficit to tie the game 98-98 with a Ryan Rollins dunk, but in the ensuing 2 minutes, 42 seconds after that Bobby Portis Jr., Myles Turner, Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green all had turnovers – with Trent and Green committing offensive fouls. Cleveland scored five points off those extra possessions to take a 105-98 lead with just under four minutes to play.
The three-possession lead wasn’t much, but it was just enough for the Cavaliers to close it out down the stretch as the Bucks never got closer than two points.
The Bucks only turned it over one more time (18 to 17) than the Cavaliers and actually scored more points (24 to 22) off those giveaways, but the unfortunate timing of that stretch was costly.
Did you notice Ryan Rollins’ poster on De’Andre Hunter?
Ryan Rollins picked up a loose ball in the halfcourt and put down a monster dunk over 6-foot, 7-inch Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter to tie the game at 98-98 about halfway through the fourth quarter. Hunter then responded with a smooth jumper as an answer, but then Hunter tried to create his own highlight over Bucks center Myles Turner – only the 6-11 Bucks center met him at the top and rejected his dunk attempt.
Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Cole Anthony miss game for Bucks
Bucks starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr., who sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of the season opener against Washington, got some court work in after the team finished shootaround at Rocket Arena. After going through some movement warmups, he went through what looked like his normal pregame routine.
But, Porter had been ruled out for the two-game road trip through Toronto and Cleveland before the team left Milwaukee.
Forward Kyle Kuzma also participated in shootaround after spraining his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Bucks’ win over the Raptors, but after he began the day as questionable he wad downgraded to out. Then Cole Anthony, who helped the Bucks to a tough win in Toronto with a 23-point, 7-assist effort against the Raptors, fell ill and was ruled out as well.
After just two games, and the Bucks were suddenly without three of their top nine players.
Not only that, but all three are ball handlers and shot creators for others with their ability to get into the paint and kick out passes to shooters. Ryan Rollins once against started for Porter, while Taurean Prince filled in for Kuzma and rookie Mark Sears saw his first NBA action for Anthony.
Rollins scored 14 points and had eight assists while Prince had eight points and an assist. Sears was 0-for-1 from the floor.
5 numbers
1: Technical free throw shot by Ryan Rollins, rather than AJ Green, in the first quarter when the Cavaliers were called for a transition take foul on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
2: Sets of brothers on the rosters for the Bucks and Cavaliers, as the Bucks have Thanasis, Giannis and Alex Antetokounmpo on their team as well as Pete Nance. Nance is the younger brother of Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr. The Nances grew up in Richfield, Ohio, as their father played seven seasons for the Cavaliers from 1987-94.
3: Consecutive home openers the Bucks played, beginning with their own on Oct. 22. They were the opponent for the Raptors (Oct. 24) and Cavaliers home lid-lifters.
7: Minutes for Bucks point guard Mark Sears, marking his official NBA debut. Sears signed a two-way contract to begin the season. He was active against Toronto on Oct. 24 but did not play.
Is Giannis playing?
Yes. The Bucks’ superstar began the day probable to play for the second straight game with soreness in his left big toe. He played in Toronto with the injury designation on Oct. 24 and turned in a historic performance with 31 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists. It was the seventh time in his career he had at least 30-20-7. He also shot 78.6% from the floor.
Milwaukee Bucks injury report
Cole Anthony ruled out for game vs. Cavs
Bucks backup guard Cole Anthony was shelved for the game against Cleveland after coming down with an illness after helping the team to a tough win in Toronto with a 23-point, 7-assist effort against the Raptors.
That meant the Bucks became very thin at the ball handling spot, as they were already without starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. Ryan Rollins has been elevated to a starting role, but after Giannis Antetokounmpo the second unit is incredibly thin.
Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Gary Trent Jr., Ryan Rollins, AJ Green
- Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Myles Turner
What time is the Bucks game?
It is an early tip off time for the Bucks and Cavaliers on Oct. 26, with the game scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. CT.
What channel are the Bucks on?
The Bucks-Cavaliers game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Stephen Watson on the call.
Bucks vs. Cavs odds, over/under
The Bucks are 6.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers, with the over/under set with 236.5 points per BetMGM.
