The Milwaukee Bucks received some brutal news regarding the remainder of their first round series with the Chicago Bulls.
As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks will have to play the rest of the series with Khris Middleton on the sidelines after he suffered a sprained MCL in Game 2. Wojnarowski added that the forward will be re-evaluated in two weeks. With this series between the Bucks and Bulls tied up 1-1, losing Middleton is unquestionably a big blow for the defending champs. However, the show must go on, and here are three Milwaukee Bucks that must step up while Middleton is out.
Grayson Allen must step up for the Milwaukee Bucks after Khris Middleton’s injury in Round 1
Many viewed Grayson Allen as a potential wild card entering this series due to the prolific scoring and shooting punch he could provide off the bench. While the guard still has time to prove that line of thinking right, he will have to do a complete 180, considering he has played horrendously during the first two matchups against this Bulls team.
Throughout his 40 minutes played during these first two games, Allen has totaled three points on 1-of-6 shooting from the floor, which includes 0-of-4 from 3-point territory. The 26-year-old has looked like a shell of himself in this series thus far, and it has hurt the Bucks mightily. With his shot not falling and his defense hit or miss, Allen has essentially been a liability when he is on the floor. Well, with Middleton on the sidelines, the Bucks will need Allen to step his game up and contribute significantly more than he has during these first 40 minutes.
Despite his struggles early in this series, Allen is more than capable of turning things around here. The guard just had the best regular season of his young career as he averaged new career-highs in several statistical categories, having carved out a legitimate role for himself with the Bucks. While his role has changed as he is now a member of the second unit, Allen is still seeing significant time in these playoffs, and he must be more aggressive in these minutes. Given just how well he shot it during the regular season, six shot attempts through two games is far too low for Allen, whether it be because he is being too passive or just not getting sufficient looks.
With Khris Middleton out for the time being, his shot attempts will have to go somewhere, and Allen must take on some of that responsibility. The two-guard may reclaim his spot in the starting lineup with Middleton on the sidelines, and perhaps that could help spark some life into him.