Tonight came an unfortunate update for the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of their matchup against the Golden State Warriors. What was supposed to be an early-season clash of the league’s biggest stars was derailed after Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out less than an hour before match time.

On X, the Bucks revealed that Giannis was confirmed out with “left knee soreness.” The forward had previously been listed as ‘probable’ going into tonight’s matchup, and even expected to play, going through his usual pregame routine before being ultimately forced to sit out.

Even Bucks head coach Doc Rivers expected him to play tonight. He had told reporters, “I think he’s going, but I really don’t know yet.” The injury seems to be the result of a collision suffered during the Bucks’ win against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, when he collided with a Knicks player late in the game and grabbed his knee. Milwaukee managed to close out the game 121-111. This also marks Giannis’ first missed game this season.

Entering the game, Giannis had been on a hot streak to start the season. The two-time MVP has averaged 36.3 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists through the first four games of the season, second in points only to Philadelphia‘s Tyrese Maxey. A healthy Giannis will make the Bucks a clear threat in the East, but with him out, the team has had to rely on other players to step up.

Going forward, the Bucks medical staff will play the long game, and it’s the right call. His knee is too valuable to risk for an early-season matchup, even if it’s a high profile one. His next status update will determine whether he returns to the lineup this weekend or receives additional rest.

How the Bucks and Warriors Adjust Without Giannis Antetokounmpo

In Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence, the Milwaukee Bucks have gone with their standard four other starters: Ryan Rollins at point guard, AJ Green at shooting guard, Gary Trent Jr. at small forward, and Myles Turner at center. From the bench, they’ve moved forward Kyle Kuzma to start at the four, and he stepped up, recording 17 points on 7-12 shooting.

The team managed to lock down the Warriors late in the fourth, going on a scoring run to close out the surging a Warriors squad. Rollins logged his his second straight high-scoring game, recording a game-high 32 points on 13-21 shooting, including 5 threes and 8 assists. The Bucks received double-digit contributions from eight total players, which ended up holding off Golden State’s three-headed attack of Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, and Stephen Curry, who scored a combined 74 points, but lackluster shooting from other Warriors players and a collective 10 turnovers between Kuminga and Curry ultimately sealed their fate.

The Warriors started center Quentin Post this game instead of guard Brandin Podziemski, reflecting head coach Steve Kerr’s recent plans to change the starting lineup based on their matchups, debuting this game plan against the Clippers on Tuesday. Going into their next matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the Bucks will hope to have Giannis back, especially against the inside-the-arc dominant offense that his defensive prowess could help contain.