CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers are facing the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this season on Nov. 17 at Rocket Arena.
The Cavs prevailed 118-113 during their first meeting with the Bucks. It was Cleveland’s home opener. The Cavs have a six-game winning streak in the series dating to the 2023-24 season.
Tipoff for Cavs (9-5) versus Bucks (8-6) occurred at 7:12 p.m. Check below for updates throughout the game.
The Cavs led 100-91 with 8:29 left in the fourth quarter during a Bucks timeout.
The Cavs used an 8-0 run to give themselves the breathing room. During the run, guard Craig Porter Jr. made a 3-pointer, forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin made a layup on an assist from guard Donovan Mitchell and guard Sam Merrill drained a 3-pointer on an assist from forward Dean Wade.
The Cavs extended their lead by four after big plays from Donovan Mitchell, Lonzo Ball and Craig Porter Jr.
Mitchell made a layup with 5.2 seconds left followed by Ball’s steal and assist to Porter who made a layup with 0.5 seconds left.
The Cavs were trailing by two points before Mitchell put up a 3-pointer to extend a short lead.
Craig Porter Jr. dunked on Ryan Rollins after stealing the ball and starting a fast break. The Cavs lead 77-75 after Myles Turner made a 3-pointer.
The Cavs were leading by four at 6:41 with 73-69.
The Bucks announced star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is ruled out with a left groin strain. He had a team high of 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in the first half.
De’Andre Hunter was able to push the Cavs ahead by two points after a reverse layup with 45 seconds left.
The Cavs seemed to have stepped it up a notch, really putting pressure on the Bucks.
Leading the Cavs is Donovan Mitchell with 25 points and Jarrett added 12.
De’Andre Hunter tied the game with a jump shot at 2:05.
Bucks Kyle Kuzma scored off a put-back of Giannis Antetokounmpo which led to the game being tied.
Jarrett Allen made a layup with 4:57 left to give the Cavs a two-point lead. Allen has six points in the second quarter and eight in the game.
The Cavs got their first lead of the game, and it was thanks to a Sam Merrill 3-pointer assisted by Dean Wade.
Jarrett Allen then made two foul shots and tied it 42-42.
Donovan Mitchell has scored seven of the teams eight points in the second quarter.
Thomas Bryant was separated by Bucks coaches as he and guard Gary Trent Jr had a heated exchanged at 8:04 left in the second quarter. Bryant made contact with Trent as Mitchell was driving for a layup, Trent ended up falling into the crowd.
The referees reviewed the play via replay and gave Bryant a technical foul.
Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo was trying to go up in the paint, but the play led to out of bounds, Thomas Bryant was fired up on the sideline.
The Cavs are now 14-0 this season on coach’s challenges.
The Cavs fell behind by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, but they rallied and trailed the Bucks 33-26 at the end of the opening quarter.
A key sequence occurred for Cleveland when guard Donovan Mitchell made back-to-back 3-pointers and guard Craig Porter Jr. recorded a steal and a fast-break layup to fuel an 8-0 run, which cut the Cavs’ deficit to 30-24 with 2:15 left in the first quarter.
Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had a team-high 11 points in the first quarter. Mitchell led the Cavs with 14 points in the opening quarter.
The Cavs went 10-of-21 shooting from the field (4 of 9 on 3-pointers) in the first quarter. The Bucks went 13-of-22 shooting from the floor (6 of 10 on 3s).
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell drew a foul against fellow guard Ryan Rollins on a 3-point attempt and made 2 of 3 foul shots with 7:36 left in the first quarter, trimming the Cavs’ deficit to 18-10.
Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo answered with a three-point play, extending Milwaukee’s advantage to 23-10 with 6:58 left in the opening quarter.
Cavs forward Evan Mobley then made a 3-pointer, and Cleveland cut Milwaukee’s lead to 23-13 with 6:47 remaining in the first quarter.
Forward Bobby Portis Jr.’s 3-pointer gave the Bucks a 26-13 lead with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter. Cavs forward Dean Wade then countered with his own 3, causing the Bucks to call timeout as they held a 26-16 lead with 4:46 left.
The Bucks jumped out to an 11-2 lead, prompting the Cavs to call timeout with 9:57 left in the first quarter.
Cleveland’s defense needs to be better. Milwaukee began the game 4-of-4 shooting from the field, including 3 of 3 on 3-pointers. Guard Ryan Rollins made his first two 3-pointers to account for six points.
The Cavs started the game 1-of-4 shooting from the field, with guard Donovan Mitchell making their only basket in the first two minutes.
Below is some pregame information.
The Cavs have ruled out five players for their Nov. 17 game. They are starting point guard Darius Garland (left big toe injury management), forward Chris Livingston (two-way contract), small forward Max Strus (left foot surgery), forward Luke Travers (two-way contract) and wing Jaylon Tyson (concussion).
The Bucks listed superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee) as probable to play. They ruled out forward Alex Antetokounmpo (two-way contract), wing Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee surgery) and forward Taurean Prince (neck surgery).
Cleveland Cavs debut City Edition uniform and court
The Cavs are debuting this season’s City Edition uniform and specially designed City Edition home court against the Bucks.
Here is how the Cavs explained in a news release the inspiration for their 2025-26 City Edition presentation:
“This year’s City Edition uniform inspires fans to reconnect with Cleveland’s culture and heritage through Nike’s NBA City Edition Remix campaign, where the iconic “Land” uniform returns with a bold, reimagined look. Building on the Cavaliers’ celebrated 2022-23 City Edition — which paid tribute to the Lake Erie coastline and Cleveland Metroparks’ 25,000 acres of protected greenspace, and introduced fans to “The Land” design — this year’s remix revives that story with fresh colors and details. Inspired by Cleveland Metroparks’ role as the guardian of Northeast Ohio’s natural beauty, the uniform captures the hues of Cleveland’s sunsets and fall foliage.”
Cavs unveil The Land City Edition jerseys inspired by Ohio sunsets
Watch the Cleveland Cavaliers unveil the 2025-26 Cavs Nike City Edition jerseys for The Land.
The Cavs are scheduled to wear their City Edition uniforms five other times this season. These are the games:
- 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5 vs. San Antonio Spurs
- 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22 vs. Charlotte Hornets
- 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26 vs. Orlando Magic
- 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24 vs. New York Knicks
- 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 24 vs. Orlando Magic
How can I watch, stream Cavs game tonight vs. Bucks? How can I listed to Cavaliers game on radio?
Peacock will stream the national TV broadcast of the Cavs-Bucks game on Nov. 17. The local TV broadcast can be viewed via FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The radio broadcast can be heard locally via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
