Bucks’ Khris Middleton Expected To Miss Entire Series vs. Celtics

Bucks forward Khris Middleton is expected to be sidelined the entire second-round series vs. the Celtics after suffering a sprained MCL, as relayed by Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston.

Middleton has been out since April 20, suffering the injury against the Bulls. His absence would obviously be a big deal for the defending champions, who will have a taller task against Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics. For starters, Boston has home-court advantage in the series.

Middleton has a Grade 2 sprain, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Initially, the All-Star was expected to miss just a week or two.

“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,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on NBA Today, via Leger. “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 averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 66 regular-season appearances, and has been the ideal Robin to Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Batman.

The left MCL injury of Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton is a Grade 2 sprain and he is expected to miss the entire second-round series vs. Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The recovery of Grade 2 MCL places a potential Conference Finals in jeopardy for him as well.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 28, 2022