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Report: Bucks' Khris Middleton expected to miss entire series vs. Celtics with MCL injury

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is expected to miss the team's second-round series against the Boston Celtics because of the sprained left MCL he suffered in Game 2 of the first round, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported.

An MRI confirmed the MCL injury on April 21, but the severity was not reported. Per Charania, it is a Grade 2 sprain that could put his recovery timeline into the conference finals.

The No. 3 seed Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls, 116-110, to close out their first-round series in five games on Wednesday night. The series with the Celtics begins on Sunday.

The Bucks said the day after the injury Middleton "will receive daily treatment and evaluation."

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton plays against the Detroit Pistons in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Detroit, Friday, April 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will reportedly miss the team's second-round series with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Middleton sprains MCL in first round

Middleton, 30, injured his left knee with 6:49 left in the fourth quarter of the Game 2 loss that evened the first-round series. He appeared to slip in the paint and head coach Mike Budenholzer said after the game it was believed to be an MCL sprain.

Middleton had 29 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds over the two playoffs games. He was 5-of-7 from 3-point range in the first outing, but cooled off in Game 2. He averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game this season.