According to several sources, an MRI confirmed Khris Middleton’s left knee MCL sprain on Thursday, and the Milwaukee Bucks forward is expected to miss at least the current first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls.
Mike Budenholzer’s Team’s Success In Recent Seasons
Though it is from a reliable source, more information is still awaited.
His contributions as a supplementary scorer and key perimeter defender have been critical to Mike Budenholzer’s team’s success in recent seasons.
His presence on both ends of the floor impacts the flow of Buck’s offense. His absence puts the additional onus on Giannis Antetokounmpo and company to compensate for the loss while containing DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine.
Despite Middleton’s poor offensive start to these playoffs (29 total points on 10-of-24 attempts in Games 1–2), the Bucks have split their home games heading into Friday’s Game 3. With the star forward out for the foreseeable future, they will now aim to grab a series lead in Chicago.
Milwaukee Bucks Instagram
On Wednesday night, Middleton played 33 minutes against the Bulls, shooting 6-of-11 from the field for 18 points, eight assists, and five rebounds and committing four turnovers.
This came after he played 39 minutes in Game 1 and finished 4-of-11 from the field for 11 points and seven turnovers.
Middleton, who averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the regular season, did miss 16 games. Milwaukee went 7-9 over the stretch.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Middleton will be re-evaluated in two weeks, putting him out for the rest of the series. The deadline for the Bulls-Bucks game is May 1, and the reported re-evaluation date for Middleton is May 5.
The Bucks Tweeted Thursday Night
The Bucks tweeted Thursday night that the three-time All-Star had an MRI earlier that day and that an update on his status will be provided in “approximately two weeks.”
Middleton departed Wednesday’s 114-110 loss to the Bucks with a knee injury. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said afterwards that the forward had a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The scan confirmed that diagnosis, despite some reports of a possible rupture.
The defending champions have certainly suffered a major setback. Middleton was named to the All-Star squad three of the previous four seasons and was the club’s second-leading scorer during the regular season.
As a bucket-getter, facilitator, and defender, he is a crucial element of Milwaukee’s wing rotation. Last season, he played a key role in the team’s title run, averaging 23.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 23 games.
Bobby Portis left Wednesday’s game with a right eye abrasion after being struck in the face by Chicago’s Tristan Thompson late in the first quarter.
“We anticipate that he should be fine with some time,” Budenholzer said.
READ MORE:
- Bridgerton Breaks Its Own Record With Season 2 as Netflix Loses 200,000 Subscribers! Check Out!
- Rising Young Actor Chase Stock! : Net Worth, Age, Girlfriend, Height, Instagram & More
- Eleceed Chapter 190: Release Date & Plot Jiwoo Accepts Academy’s Offer!
George Hill, a reserve guard, has not played in this series due to an abdominal strain. Before Game 2, Budenholzer noted that Hill is not expected to return anytime soon and that the team would assess how the 35-year-old Hill guard does over the next “handful of days or more.”
Stay tuned with us on TheNuherald.com and we add new things
