APRIL 28: Middleton is expected to miss the Bucks’ entire second-round series vs. Boston, Shams Charania of The Athletic confirms (via Twitter). According to Charania, Middleton’s recovery timeline would also jeopardize his availability for at least the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, if Milwaukee makes it that far.
APRIL 27: The Bucks may have to get through a second-round series without Khris Middleton, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said in an appearance on “NBA Today” (video link).
Middleton, who suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee during Game 2 of Milwaukee’s playoff series with the Bulls, is scheduled to be reevaluated next week, roughly 14 days after the injury. However, sources tell Wojnarowski that the exam is likely to just be a “benchmark,” and there’s no expectation that Middleton will return to action right away.
“There’s not a sense that he’s going to get reevaluated at two weeks and then all of a sudden be back at practice and be ready to play,” Wojnarowski said. “That’s a benchmark in this process. But the Bucks certainly, they’re on the cusp of getting by the Bulls here. They may have to get through another series, a conference semifinal, before they may have the opportunity to get Khris Middleton back in this season.”
Middleton played a huge role in helping the Bucks capture the NBA title last season, averaging 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists during the playoffs. He followed that up by being selected to the All-Star game this year for the third time in his career.
Middleton recently told Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he’s optimistic about returning soon, but he has confidence in his teammates if the recovery process takes longer.
“We did it last year as a group,” Middleton said. “When Giannis (Antetokounmpo) went down (in the Eastern Conference Finals) everybody stepped up and played a major part, so I expect nothing less. I feel like guys are ready to step up and play. They know right now it’s win or go home time.”
Did anybody actually think he would be available. 4-6 week injury.
The basketball gods taxing the BUCKS for tanking to get the BULLS in the 1st round?
Is done for this season…
If the Bucks can beat Boston without Khris, will be epic for Giannis resume IMO. I think this will be a close series, and im looking forward to watch how Giannis does against C’s defense. I think he will do okay/great, if that’s the case all the arguments about KD being the best scorer of this generation, and all-timer, will sound absurd.
If Grayson Allen can keep doing his Khris Middleton imitation that we saw in games 3 & 4 that would be tremendous!
You’re right. Middleton is huge for the Bucks.
Celtics have to do damage control on Bucks star point guard Jrue Holiday. He’s only 6’3,” I see. Maybe that will help in defending him. But he’s a killer, on both ends. He scores, assists & steals. Go Celtics!
Celtics just have to put the same game plan into action against MIL. Have Smart take Jrue out of the game, and same defense they had against KD on Greek Freak. Make Lopez/Allen/etc beat you.
Agree, our defense is key. But no one guy can take another guy out of the game. Holliday goes right down the middle. We need to smother him and Giannis as much as possible.