Key Takeaways:
- Donovan Mitchell notched 37 points to spearhead Cleveland’s 118-106 win over Milwaukee on Monday night
- Giannis Antetokounmpo exited with a left groin strain late in the second quarter and did not return
- Cleveland extended their winning streak against Milwaukee to seven, improving to 19-4 versus Central Division opponents since March 2024
Match Analysis
Donovan Mitchell turned in a commanding performance, tallying 37 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers surged to a 118-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The matchup was overshadowed, however, by the injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was forced off with 3:03 left in the second quarter due to a left groin strain and subsequently did not return.
Antetokounmpo, who leads the Eastern Conference in scoring at 32.6 points per game and matches for second place league-wide, entered the contest listed as probable owing to left knee patellar tendinopathy. Despite the concern, he managed 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in just 13 minutes of play prior to his premature departure. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers stated after the game that Antetokounmpo will undergo further medical evaluation on Tuesday.
First dub in city threads! #LetEmKnow
📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/27KpuGw2Ip
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 18, 2025
Cleveland’s Offensive Drive
Mitchell, second in the Eastern Conference in scoring with an average of 30.4 points, made his impact felt early, amassing 25 points before the break. His effort marked the fifth occasion this season in which he has scored at least 35 points. The Cavaliers trailed by 14 points when Milwaukee jumped ahead 30-16 with three minutes left in the opening quarter, but Cleveland steadily fought back.
With Sam Merrill adding 20 points, including six successful three-pointers, the Cavaliers gathered momentum heading into the final stretch. Merrill’s 11 points in the last 12 minutes were instrumental as Cleveland secured control of the contest. A crucial 12-3 run bridging the late third and early fourth quarters broke an 88-88 deadlock, propelling the Cavaliers ahead. Cleveland eventually built their largest lead to 14 points as the game drew to a close.
Bucks’ Performance and Player Statistics
Milwaukee, suffering their third defeat in four outings, managed to have seven players finish in double-figure scoring. Ryan Rollins contributed a team-high 22 points while Myles Turner provided 15. Without their talisman, Milwaukee could not withstand Cleveland’s late charge.
Recent Trends and Fixtures
The Cavaliers’ victory extended their run over the Bucks to seven games and improved their record against Central Division opposition to 19-4 since March 2024. Milwaukee will look to regroup when they host Philadelphia on Thursday, while the Cavaliers prepare to welcome Houston on Wednesday.
