The Cleveland Cavaliers stormed back from an early deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-106 on Monday night, a game marked by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s early exit due to injury and Donovan Mitchell's 37 points.
Antetokounmpo headed straight to the locker room with 3:03 left in the second quarter and did not return, ruled out with a left groin strain. The All-Star forward came in averaging 32.6 points per game — tops in the Eastern Conference — and finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 13 minutes. Coach Doc Rivers said further testing is scheduled for Tuesday.
Mitchell, who entered second in the East in scoring at 30.4 points per game, erupted for 25 points in the first half alone and logged his fifth 35-point performance of the season. Sam Merrill added 20 points off the bench, drilling six 3-pointers, including 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers pulled away. Cleveland has now won three of its last four.
Despite the loss and the injury scare, the Bucks had seven players score in double figures. Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 22 points, and Myles Turner added 15. Milwaukee had built a 30-16 lead late in the first quarter before Cleveland began chipping away.
Tied at 88 late in the third quarter, the Cavs seized control with a decisive 12-3 run spanning the third and fourth periods. Their lead stretched to as many as 14 down the stretch as they closed out their seventh straight win over Milwaukee. Cleveland is now 19-4 against Central Division opponents since March 2024.
Up Next
*Bucks: Host Philadelphia on Thursday.
Cavaliers: Host Houston on Wednesday.*
