Bucks’ Doc Rivers says Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘probably’ out about two weeks

The Bucks can breathe a little easier, at least for now.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MRI “went pretty well,” according to coach Doc Rivers, who said on the Courtside with Gale Klappa podcast that the All-NBA forward will “probably” miss about two weeks.

That matches reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania, who called it a “low-grade” strain and pegged the timeline at one to two weeks.

Antetokounmpo suffered the left groin injury in the second quarter of Monday’s loss in Cleveland.

He grabbed at the area multiple times earlier in the game, then hobbled back on defense after a drive, committed a foul and checked himself out before heading to the locker room. He didn’t return.

“We won’t know anything until tomorrow,” Rivers said after the game. “Didn’t look great, I can tell you that. He grabbed at it in the first quarter and said he was fine… then again… and the third time is when it happened. But I think it happened earlier, in my opinion.”

Antetokounmpo walked out of Rocket Arena under his own power. Jericho Sims started the second half in his place.

The timing is rough for Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo has been spectacular to open the season, averaging 32.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 12 games — arguably the best start of his career.

He was already on the injury report Monday with left knee patellar tendinopathy, though Rivers said last week that issue wasn’t serious.

Groin strains, even mild ones, can linger, and the Bucks won’t rush him. Expect Sims and Bobby Portis to absorb most of the frontcourt minutes, with Myles Turner likely taking on a larger offensive load while Antetokounmpo works his way back.