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Bucks’ Doc Rivers Provides Brutal Khris Middleton Update

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Kenneth Teape | Last updated 4/25/24

Game 2 of their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA Playoffs was not a good one for the Milwaukee Bucks. After picking up a dominant Game 1 victory, the Pacers exacted some revenge, winning 125-108.

With the series heading back to Indiana tied at one win apiece, the Bucks have their hands full. They were up against it coming into the NBA Playoffs as their star Giannis Antetokounmpo is battling a calf injury.

The injury originally occurred on April 9th against the Boston Celtics and he isn’t expected to return soon. A recent update revealed that he still isn’t going much running or any contact, which isn’t a good sign.

Winning without Antetokounmpo in the lineup was already hard enough. Doing it without another one of their key players will be a massive mountain to overcome. But, that is what Milwaukee could be facing.

On Thursday, head coach Doc Rivers revealed a brutal update on forward Khris Middleton. According to Rivers, Middleton did not practice on Thursday as he is dealing with a right ankle sprain, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

The sprain occurred in the first quarter of Game 2, but Middleton remained in the game and still played 36 minutes. Rivers did admit that there is some concern about his availability for Game 3 on Friday night.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Khris Middleton (right ankle sprain) did not practice today.

He sprained his ankle in the 1st quarter and then played 36 minutes.

Asked if there was concern about him being able to play in Game 3, Rivers said, "Yeah, there's a little."
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 25, 2024

The injury certainly seemed to impact Middleton’s production, as he wasn’t as impactful in Game 2 as in Game 1. After scoring 23 points in the opener, he managed only 15 in the Game 2 loss.

If Middleton misses Game 3, the Bucks are going to be very behind the eight-ball. Already without Antetokounmpo, all of the offensive burden would fall upon Damian Lillard. Lillard has been incredible in the first half of the first two games but has been invisible in the second half.

Without Middleton, it is hard to envision where the Bucks will get offensive production from beyond Lillard. The Pacers would likely gear their entire defense to slowing him down, daring players such as Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and Brook Lopez to pick up the slack.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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