Bucks' Khris Middleton expected to miss second-round series against Celtics with MCL sprain

On Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls, 116-100, in Game 5 to secure a 4-1 first-round series victory and a trip to the second round. 

The Bucks won three consecutive games to clinch the series without All-Star Khris Middleton, who has been out with a left MCL sprain since Game 2. Middleton is expected to be re-evaluated next week, but According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks may be without Middleton in Round 2 against the No. 2 seeded Boston Celtics. 

"He'll get that reevaluation at the 14-day two-week point next week, but I'm told the injury is expected to keep him out longer than that," Wojnarowski said. "They may have to get through another series, a conference semifinal, before they may have the opportunity to get Khris Middleton back in this season."

During Game 2 against the Chicago Bulls, Middleton suffered the injury, sitting out the remainder of the game after leaving during the fourth quarter. After the game, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer revealed the diagnosis was a left MCL sprain, stating Middleton would be out of action for at least two weeks. 

In two games during the 2022 playoffs, Middleton has averaged 14.5 PPG, 7.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds in 36 minutes per game. 

In 66 regular-season games, Middleton averaged 20.1 PPG, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists for the Bucks. 

The Bucks will open their second-round series against the Celtics on Sunday at the TD Garden.