Why Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Not Playing Today vs Cyprus? Greece’s EuroBasket Standings & Replacement Revealed

EuroBasket 2025 has already thrown up some must-watch storylines, and Greece is right in the middle of the action. Fresh off a gritty opening win over Italy, the team returns to the court today in Limassol, Cyprus, for their second group-stage test. The matchup against the tournament co-hosts might not seem like the most high-stakes game on paper, but it carries intrigue for one simple reason: Greece’s biggest star will not be on the floor.

Yes, you read that right. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the face of Greek basketball and one of the NBA’s most dominant forces, will not suit up when Greece takes on Cyprus this afternoon at 5:15 p.m. CET (11:15 a.m. ET). Fans expecting another monster performance after his dazzling opener against Italy will have to wait at least one more day.

That begs the question every fan is asking right now: why is Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out?

The Greek Basketball Federation officially confirmed that Giannis Antetokounmpo will sit out today’s game against Cyprus as part of a planned rest day. Head coach Vassilis Spanoulis made the decision to manage his superstar’s workload during a dense schedule that features five group-stage games in just eight days.

Importantly, there is no injury involved here. Giannis isn’t being sidelined by any physical issue. Instead, this is a strategic move to keep him fresh for tomorrow’s matchup against Georgia, a tougher opponent with real upset potential.

This rest comes just two days after Giannis exploded for 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in Greece’s 75–66 win over Italy in the group opener. He dominated every facet of that game, finishing 11-of-17 from the field, adding 2 steals and 2 blocks in just 29 minutes, and even delivered a signature dunk to seal the victory. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers was courtside in Limassol to watch his franchise star lead Greece to that statement win.

So, while his absence today may disappoint fans, it’s a precaution rooted in long-term thinking, not a sign of trouble.

Greece entered EuroBasket 2025 with optimism but also plenty of drama surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability. After missing several exhibition games earlier in August due to unpaid insurance premiums and pending clearance from the Milwaukee Bucks, he was only fully cleared to play less than a week before the tournament tipped off.

Since then, it’s been all systems go. Giannis debuted in a friendly against France on August 24, then roared to life in the official opener against Italy. His presence instantly transforms Greece into a contender, and Spanoulis has built the team’s entire system around his versatility and physical dominance.

Now sitting at 1-0, Greece faces Cyprus today, followed by Georgia (August 31), Bosnia and Herzegovina (September 2), and Spain (September 4). With Spain looming as the reigning champions and Georgia fresh off an upset of their own, Greece’s margin for error isn’t massive, but their strong start against Italy has given them a cushion.

The big question for today’s game is who will step into the void left by Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the federation hasn’t named a direct replacement in the starting lineup, several candidates are poised to take on larger roles:

• Kostas Sloukas – The veteran guard is expected to orchestrate Greece’s offense and steady the team’s tempo.
  
• Tyler Dorsey – A natural scorer, he often takes on a bigger role when Giannis sits. Dorsey dropped 14 points in a friendly against Italy without Giannis earlier this month.
  
• Kostas Papanikolaou – The versatile forward adds shooting and defense, having hit three triples in that same Italy friendly.
  
• Alexandros Samodurov – The rising star and FIBA U20 All-Star Five selection could earn extended minutes as a spark plug off the bench.
  

Without Giannis, expect a more balanced offensive approach, with Spanoulis leaning on defense and pace to control the game. Cyprus, considered one of the weaker sides in Group C, presents a chance to rest their superstar without jeopardizing Greece’s momentum.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s FIBA Saga

The lead-up to EuroBasket 2025 hasn’t been smooth for Giannis Antetokounmpo. His absence from several prep games earlier this month was tied to administrative hurdles: unpaid insurance premiums and the need for written clearance from the Milwaukee Bucks. Those matters were resolved by mid-August, clearing him to play without restrictions.

Once on the floor, he wasted no time reminding Europe of his dominance. Whether at the 2024 Olympics, where he averaged 25.8 points per game, or EuroBasket 2022, where he led the tournament at 29.3 points per game, Giannis has a history of imposing his will on the FIBA stage. His competitive edge hasn’t gone unnoticed either; one EuroBasket star put it bluntly: “He tries to destroy everybody.”

That’s exactly what Italy experienced two days ago.

While today’s absence is about rest, it ties into a larger conversation about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s workload. After averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 67 NBA games last season, plus carrying Greece through Olympic qualifying, fatigue is a real concern.

NBA analysts have compared his upcoming role with the Bucks to Russell Westbrook’s MVP season, an enormous individual load on a roster that lacks a proven secondary star after trading away Damian Lillard. Milwaukee is projected as a middle-of-the-pack Eastern Conference team, and if the season starts poorly, whispers about Giannis’s long-term future could grow louder.

Still, history shows that Giannis often comes back sharper after summer tournaments. Following EuroBasket 2022, he posted a career-high 31.1 points per game in the NBA. Similar boosts followed FIBA play in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, keeping a close eye in Limassol, reflects both concern and confidence in his superstar’s ability to balance national pride with NBA durability.

Giannis Antetokounmpo not playing against Cyprus may sound alarming at first glance, but the reality is far more reassuring. There’s no injury, no setback, just smart load management from Greece’s coaching staff. The plan is simple: preserve their superstar for the tougher battles ahead while trusting their depth to handle Cyprus.

With Greece sitting 1-0 in Group C, the bigger challenges are around the corner. For now, Giannis’s rest is a reminder of how central he is not just to Greece’s medal hopes, but to the entire storyline of EuroBasket 2025.

What do you think, should Giannis Antetokounmpo take more rest days in this tournament to protect his long-term health, or should Greece push him to play every game to maximize their chances?