Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t in the lineup for Monday’s 116-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a right adductor strain.
The absence was Antetokounmpo’s first of the campaign. The 29-year-old is averaging 31 points per game through the season’s first six contests, sitting second in the league in scoring to Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis. He’s also averaging 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
In Milwaukee’s previous contest Saturday at home against the Cavs, Antetokounmpo finished an assist shy of a 34-point triple-double with 16 rebounds, shooting 15-of-27 from the field as the Bucks lost by a point.
With Monday’s defeat, Milwaukee is 1-6 and sits last in the Eastern Conference. The club is also without veteran wing Khris Middleton, who has yet to play this season while recovering from offseason ankle surgeries.
The Bucks had their chances Monday in Cleveland. Doc Rivers’ side led briefly in the final frame before Damian Lillard missed a pair of threes late. Jarrett Allen then blocked Lillard at the rim with seconds remaining to cement the result.
Milwaukee will look to snap a six-game losing skid when it hosts the struggling Utah Jazz on Thursday.
