Khris Middleton Out For Rest of First Round Versus Bulls

The Milwaukee Bucks confirm that Khris Middleton suffered a sprained MCL and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. This essentially rules out the Bucks star for the rest of Milwaukee's first round series versus the Chicago Bulls.

Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton has an MCL sprain in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, sources tell ESPN. Bucks will have to play without Middleton for the rest of this first-round series against Chicago.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 21, 2022

This is an absolute gut-punch for the defending champions.

Middleton left midway through the fourth quarter of their 114-110 Game 2 loss to the Bulls. The injury occurred after he slipped on a drive to the basket. He attempted to play it off initially, but ultimately went back to the locker room on a limp.

Without Middleton, the Bucks will need to fill in the three-time All-Star's all around production. The 30-year-old has been a 20-point scorer for Milwaukee the past three seasons and has averaged at least five rebounds and five assists the last two years.

This first round matchup just got a lot tougher for the reigning champs considering the series now shifts to Chicago for Games 3 and 4. DeMar DeRozan caught fire in Game 2 and dropped 41 points to stun the Bucks on their home floor.

Milwaukee will need the likes of Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez to step up to give Giannis Antetokounmpo the necessary help to make up for Middleton's absence.