Shams: Middleton OUT For 2nd Round With Grade 2 MCL Sprain

[Phantom255x]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1519653754794131456?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

The left MCL injury of Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton is a Grade 2 sprain and he is expected to miss the entire second-round series vs. Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The recovery of Grade 2 MCL places a potential Conference Finals in jeopardy for him as well

WOW. Guess it was more serious than originally thought. Sucks for Middleton and definitely hate seeing injuries 

[Kiorrik]

Man that sucks.

[liam]

Injuries really affect the playoffs every year. I'm really hoping for no more injuries.

[radiohead]

Wow. That is a huge break for the Cs.

[JohnBoy65]

It does suck for sure. No one ever roots for an injury. Of course, it's a big break for the Celtics. It makes Boston's ability to defend the Bucks so much easier.

I don't know, it feels like the Celtics have been snake bitten in the playoffs since 2009. It's nice to be on the other side of it once.

[Roy H.]

The Bucks are going to be tough, even without Middleton.  That said, even though he's one of my favorite non-Celtics, I'm not sorry he's missing our series.  The guy is a straight killer.

[tonydelk]

Even without middleton this bucks team is insanely good.  Portis is the one the C's need to slow down.  He kills them and will benefit most with the increased PT.  They have more size then we do and this series Rob and Al need to step up their protection of the paint. 

[hwangjini_1]

color me shameless.

as long as it is not career threatening, i am fine (heck maybe even a little giddy) with the bucks being down an all-star player.

i want another sweep by the celtics here, followed by a nice few days off to heal and prepare to stomp the snot out of the next team. and if their stars are slightly injured that too is fine with me.

yes, i am a bad, bad person. 

[Smartacus]

I would prefer to beat the Bucks in a hard fought series with both teams at full strength but injuries are a factor in the playoffs every year and while it is unfortunate, what can we do other than accept the outcome and win the games that are put in front of us?

Best of luck to Middleton, hope for a clean and speedy recovery.

[wdleehi]

That stinks.   I think this Celtics team is good enough to win against any team without excuses. 

[perks-a-beast]

Couldn’t have happened at a worse time in Middletons career. The dude was putting together quite the resume. Hope he bounces back with no problems.

Can’t pretend this isn’t great for Boston, though. He’s been a huge thorn in our side for 4 or 5 years now.

[hpantazo]

That's tough for the Bucks.

Get ready for a whole lot of Grayson Allen and to hate him almost as much as Kyrie by the time this series is over.

[#1P4P]

Major news! Hopefully, he makes a full recovery soon.

Injuries happen, durability and availability are part of the Championship equation. They benefited from it last season and have to overcome it this season.

Milwaukee will be a tough out regardless. The Celtics are winning either way.

[footey]

Bucks depth has improved with Allen, Lopez and Matthews contributing. 

It is natural for a team to let up a little when its opponent loses a key player. Ime won't tolerate that.

And they still have Giannis.

Key to me is whether we can hit the open 3's.   Particularly guys like Derrick White and Marcus Smart.  Bucks defense is designed around daring you to make them and packing the middle.  I could see Payton Pritchard getting extra minutes in this game, especially if he continues his hot shooting. 

[Roy H.]

Get ready for a whole lot of Grayson Allen and to hate him almost as much as Kyrie by the time this series is over.

We'll hate him, but not as much as Kyrie, lol.