Is Bucks star ahead of schedule?

Giannis Antetokounmpo has not played for more than a week after suffering a strained adductor tear during the Bucks’ Nov. 17 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In turn, Milwaukee has not won a game since then and is entering the NBA Cup matchup against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, November 26 with a losing streak of five consecutive games. Antetokounmpo is part of a growing list of marquee players set to be sidelined with injury during the opening weeks of the 2025-26 NBA season.

The good news is that Antetokounmpo’s injury status was recently changed by the team after he missed three consecutive games. Is the Bucks star going to be back on the court sooner than expected? Here’s the latest information on Antetokounmpo’s injury status:

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Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing today?

No, Antetokounmpo will be out again, the Bucks announced Wednesday night. The NBA’s most recent injury report, filed at 12:30 p.m. ET, listed him as questionable for the Bucks’ NBA Cup game against the Heat. This is a step in the right direction after being out early in the last three matches.

But, about an hour before tipoff, Milwaukee said he had been ruled out of the game against the Heat.

giannis antetokounmpo injury update

The 30-year-old forward has missed Milwaukee’s last three games after suffering an adductor strain during a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 17. Coach Doc Rivers said at the time that Antetokounmpo was to undergo an MRI the next day. According to ESPN, he was initially expected to miss one to two weeks of action.