During the Bucks’ Game 3 defeat to the Pacers,
Milwaukee – Bucks forward Chris Middleton has officially been declared available and he played in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers, scoring a game-high 42 points in Milwaukee’s 121-118 overtime loss. Middleton missed the team’s Thursday practice because of a sprained ankle, and on Friday afternoon, he was labelled as questionable.
Due to an overextended left knee, Bucks standout player Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed two of the first three games of this series.The Pacers now lead this seven-game series 2-1 after their victory on Friday.
During Tuesday’s Game 2 loss, Middleton was hobbling in the first quarter and briefly went to the locker room, but returned after getting his right ankle re-taped and finished “In a span of 36 minutes, the three-time All-Star showcased his prowess, maintaining an impressive average of 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists across the initial pair of matchups.
Antetokounmpo has not played since spraining his left knee in a victory over the Boston Celtics on April 9.He was not present for the Bucks’ final three regular season games.
Coach Rivers said, “He did a lot on the floor today, maybe the most I’ve seen.” “Nothing’s left. He was shooting and moving today.”
Speaking after the Bucks’ practice on Thursday in Milwaukee, Rivers didn’t want to speculate on when Antetokounmpo might return.
“I saw him moving around out there, and my mentality is that he’s getting close,” Rivers said. “Does that mean one day, four days? I don’t know.”
The Bucks have played several games this season without key players. The Bucks’ top three players – Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Damian Lillard – were all available for only five of their last 35 games”Encompassing a span of 35 games, this stretch accounts for the culmination of Milwaukee’s previous 33 regular-season matchups and the initial duo of games in this series.
Bucks center Brook Lopez said, “We have been dealing with this all season.” “We are prepared for it. Obviously, we’d prefer to have them play. But if they can’t, if they have to do whatever it takes to stay healthy, we’ll be ready.”
The Bucks have become accustomed to playing without Antetokounmpo after he missed the final two-and-a-half games of their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals series with an extended knee, which he played 50 minutes in the title-winning victory.
Middleton missed the final 10 playoff games for the Bucks in 2022 due to a sprained collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo was sidelined from Game 1 due to a back injury last year and missed the next two games due to a loss in the first round against Miami.
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