The Milwaukee Bucks have an opportunity to steal a victory from one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, they host the tired and diminished Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Fiserv Forum.
Cleveland (37-22), in contention for a top three seed, beat the New York Knicks on Feb. 24 in Ohio. After flying into Milwaukee after the game, the Cavaliers ruled out MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell and reigning defensive player of the year Evan Mobley. All-star James Harden is questionable to play.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) finds an open teammate during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
One player who will suit up for Cleveland is point guard Dennis Schröder, who was acquired at the deadline from Sacramento. The 32-year-old is often a thorn in the side of the Bucks, and he scored 24 points in a Kings victory over the Bucks early in the season.
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The Bucks are also playing on the second night of a back-to-back, though they slept in their own beds after beating Miami at home. They have won seven of their last nine games.
Milwaukee (25-31) remains out of the postseason picture entirely, however, sitting in 11th place in the East.
The Bucks have beaten teams with winning records in consecutive games only twice this season, with wins over Golden State and New York (Oct. 28-30) and Orlando and Oklahoma City (Feb. 11-12).
And, the Bucks also have struggled against teams that do not have their stars. They lost twice to Denver without all-stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray (and even more starters), lost to Minnesota without all-stars Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert and even Portland without starters Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe. They also lost to Philadelphia twice without Joel Embiid and Paul George on a minute limit.
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Is Giannis playing?
No.
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is still ramping up in his rehab from a Jan. 23 soleus strain in his right calf, which he self-diagnosed as a four- to six-week injury. Antetokounmpo has done “live” practice work with teammates and coaches after the team returned home from New Orleans beginning on Feb. 21.
Before the game against Miami, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo has not gone five-on-five but does not need to. Rivers also added the two-time MVP has not suffered any setbacks with the injury.
More: What does Giannis Antetokounmpo want? He wants to retire with the Milwaukee Bucks
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What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
10-16
Milwaukee is 15-15 when Antetokounmpo plays any number of minutes.
Cavaliers on hot streak since trading for James Harden
Cleveland, which was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year with 64 wins, doubled down its roster heading into this season with the most expensive team in the NBA. But, as the trade deadline approached in early February, the team had fallen short of expectations. So, they began shedding salary and talent, most notably homegrown all-star guard Darius Garland.
They shipped the injured 26-year-old to the Los Angeles Clippers for 36-year-old all-star guard James Harden and received an immediate boost, winning five straight and six of seven heading into the game against the Bucks.
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But Harden did suffer a fracture in his right (non-shooting) thumb against the Knicks on Feb. 24.
Harden has been solid since arriving in Cleveland, averaging 18.9 points on 48.8% shooting from behind the 3-point line while also averaging 8.0 assists. His presence has rejuvenated all-star center Jarrett Allen, who has averaged 20.4 points on 76.7% shooting since the point guard’s arrival. Before Harden joining the team, Allen averaged 13.9 points on 60% shooting in his first 40 games.
Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (right calf strain)
Milwaukee Bucks probable starters
Guards: Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, AJ Green
Cavaliers injury report
Max Strus, out (left foot surgery)
Donovan Mitchell, out (right groin strain)
Evan Mobley, out (left calf injury management)
James Harden, questionable (right thumb fracture)
What time is the Bucks game?
Tip-off is schedule for 7 p.m. CT.
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What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be simulcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and WMLW The M with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.
Bucks vs. Cavaliers odds
Cleveland is an 8.5-point favorite over Milwaukee with the over/under set at 228.5 points, per BetMGM.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) is fouled by Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) is fouled by Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) reacts after hitting a three-point basket and drawing a foul during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) beats Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) to a loose ball during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) scores on Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) attempts a three-point shot over Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) shoots over Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) passes around Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) and Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) vie for a rebound during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) finds an open teammate during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) guards Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) hits a three-point basket during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) misses a basket during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma (18) misses a shot while being guarded by Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) beats Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) to a rebound during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.\
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) hits a three-point shot over Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) drives past Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives past Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) misses a three-point basket over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) guards Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers watches guard Cam Thomas (24) sub for guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) during the first half of their game against the Miami Heat Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is shown during the first half of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra argues a call during the first half of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Cavs?