Khris Middleton to miss rest of 1st round NBA playoff series

Milwaukee star Khris Middleton will miss the rest of the Bucks’ NBA first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls amid a damaged left knee ligament, the team said Thursday.

Middleton left the Bucks’ 114-110 loss to Chicago in the fourth quarter on Wednesday.

He had an MRI exam on Thursday, which revealed a sprained left medial collateral ligament, according to the Bucks.

“Middleton will receive daily treatment and evaluation with the next status update coming in approximately two weeks,” the team said.

That would knock him out for the rest of the best-of-seven series against the Bulls, which starts on Friday in Chicago with the series tied at one game each.

The Bucks’ chances of defending their NBA title have been harmed by Middleton’s injury. Even if they beat the Bulls, it’s unclear whether he’ll be available for the second round, which starts on May 3 at the earliest.

Before leaving Wednesday’s game, Middleton had 18 points and eight assists.

“You could see that he was limping, limping and limping,” Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “You’re thinking, ‘I hope this is not bad. I hope this is not bad. I hope this is not bad.’

“We need this guy,” he said of Middleton, who averaged 20.1 points per game during the season.