The Milwaukee Bucks advanced to the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs after a 4-1 series win over the Chicago Bulls. Now, they will face the Boston Celtics, who caught fire during the latter portion of the season and oftentimes looked like the best team in the association. Boston just got done sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in their first playoff round battle, and they will now take on the defending champions in round two. This matchup is shaping up to be a clash for the ages, but the Bucks will be put at a major disadvantage without one of their most important players in the mix.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Khris Middleton is expected to miss the entire series against Boston with a Grade 2 MCL Sprain. Looking ahead, Charania also notes that Middleton’s chances of appearing in the Conference Finals are also in jeopardy, but we will focus on just one series at a time for now. Middleton suffered the injury in Game 2 against Chicago, and while there was initial hope that the All-Star forward could possibly return in the second round, it is now clear that the Milwaukee Bucks will have to play without him, in all likelihood.
Reactions to Khris Middleton likely to miss the Milwaukee Bucks’ second round series against the Boston Celtics
Obviously, this is a considerable blow for the Bucks, given how important Middleton has been for this team. Milwaukee must now face what many would call the hottest team in the entire league in Boston without their second-leading scorer, which will be a tall task. While some have already started to count the Bucks out due to Middleton’s injury, the team must stay the course and play without him, just as they did in their final three games against Chicago in round one.
With the series tied up at 1-1 when Middleton went down, things looked gloomy for the Bucks, but they managed to win the next three straight thanks to everyone stepping up. Grayson Allen caught the hot hand offensively and torched the Bulls with his red-hot 3-point shooting, which helped fill the scoring void left in Middleton’s absence. Pat Connaughton poured in 20 points off the bench in the Bucks’ Game 5 victory thanks to some electric 3-point shooting, which was key in closing that series. Bobby Portis reclaimed his spot in the starting lineup and brought energy with his scoring, rebounding, and intensity. As evidenced by these three, the Bucks have the ability to embrace the ‘next man up’ mentality in this second round series against the Boston Celtics.
Allen, Connaughton, and Portis, among others, will have to step up in this series to give Milwaukee a chance, and they are more than capable. In addition to this trio, more responsibility will fall onto the broad shoulders of Jrue Holiday. The guard had his struggles throughout the first round clash with the Bulls, but the Bucks will now need him at his best as their clear-cut second-best player. Of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo will also continue to be Giannis Antetokounmpo, so that helps. Yet, the supporting cast stepping up in this series will be pivotal to Milwaukee’s success.
For now, get well soon, Khris!