Khris Middleton joins Milwaukee Bucks injury list not available for Game 3 against Indiana Pacers

Two of the team's top three players may miss the Milwaukee Bucks' Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Due to a right ankle injury, Khris Middleton was unable to practice on Thursday, which raises questions about his readiness for Game 3 in Indianapolis. The two-time MVP of the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has already missed the first two games of the series because of a left calf strain.

The NBA's injury report for Friday's game categorized Antetokounmpo as doubtful and Khris Middleton as questionable. Milwaukee Bucks and Pacers are 1-1 in their best-of-seven series. Middleton struggled in the first quarter of the Bucks' 125-108 Game 2 defeat on Tuesday and quickly walked into the locker room, but he returned after having his right ankle re-taped and finished the game with 36 minutes. Over the first two games, the three-time All-Star has averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. 

injury woes for Milwaukee Bucks

Meanwhile Giannis Antetokounmpo has not played since injuring his left calf in an April 9 win over the Boston Celtics. He missed the Bucks' last three regular-season games. This season, the Bucks have played without many key players. The Bucks' best three players, Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Damian Lillard were only available for five of their past 35 games. The 35-game period includes Milwaukee's last 33 regular-season games as well as the first two games of this series. 

Antetokounmpo missed the last 1½ games of a 2020 second-round defeat to Miami Heat due to a sprained ankle. He missed the final two games of the 2021 East playoffs due to a hyperextended knee before returning to lead Milwaukee to the championship as NBA playoffs MVP, scoring 50 points in the title-clinching win. 

Middleton's hurt medial collateral ligament prevented him from playing in the Bucks' last ten playoff games of 2022. Last year, a damaged lower back forced Antetokounmpo to miss Game 1 and the following two games in the Bucks' first-round loss to Miami.