According to Jasmyn Wimbish of CBS Sports. Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton of Charleston, South Carolina will be out a minimum of two weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Middleton suffered the injury in game two of the Bucks’ Western Conference Quarterfinal series, a 114-110 Bucks loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
This was one of two significant injuries the Bucks suffered in the four point loss. Center Bobby Portis of Little Rock, Arkansas also suffered an eye injury.
In 66 regular season games, Middleton averaged 20.1 points per game, 5.4 assists per game and 5.4 rebounds, a field goal percentage of .443, three-point percentage of .373, and a free throw percentage of .890. So far after two playoff games, Middleton has scored 29 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in 72 minutes.
In 72 regular season games, Portis averaged 14.6 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game, a field goal percentage of .479, three-point percentage of .393, and free throw percentage of .752. So far after two playoff games, Portis has 14 rebounds and 12 points in 29 minutes. We do not know how long Portis will be out for.
The loss of Middleton is obviously huge for a Bucks squad trying to repeat as NBA champions. In the 2021 NBA playoffs, Middleton led all players with 60 postseason three points made. Milwaukee will now have to rely even more on 2020 NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
One team that has a surprise 2-1 series lead without their superstar is the Dallas Mavericks. On Thursday, the Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 126-118 thanks to 31 points from Jalen Brunson. Over the last two games, Brunson has scored 72 points, and has unexpectedly filled the offensive void with the loss of Luka Doncic. According to Mike Fisher and Grant Afseth of Fan Nation, there is a growing belief that Doncic could be ready to go for game four of the series on Saturday after missing the first three games with a calf strain.
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