Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo out, Khris Middleton active for Game 3

Bucks two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Friday night time’s Sport 3 of the collection towards the Indiana Pacers with a left calf pressure, whereas ahead Khris Middleton is lively after hurting an ankle in Sport 2 on Tuesday.

The Bucks already performed the primary two video games of this collection with out Antetokounmpo. The Bucks and Pacers are tied 1-1 within the best-of-seven collection.

Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf in an April 9 victory over the Boston Celtics. He missed the Bucks’ closing three regular-season video games.

The NBA’s damage report Thursday afternoon listed Antetokounmpo as uncertain and Middleton as lively for Friday’s sport.

Middleton was limping within the first quarter of the Bucks’ 125-108 Sport 2 loss and briefly went into the locker room, however he returned after getting his proper ankle retaped and ended up taking part in 36 minutes. The three-time All-Star has averaged 19.0 factors, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists by way of the primary two video games.

The Bucks have performed with out key performers on quite a few events this 12 months. The Bucks had their prime three gamers — Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Damian Lillard — all out there for under 5 of their final 35 video games. That 35-game stretch covers Milwaukee’s final 33 regular-season contests and the primary two video games of this collection.

The Bucks have change into accustomed to coping with accidents through the postseason.

Antetokounmpo missed the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami with a sprained ankle. He did not play the ultimate two video games of the 2021 East finals with a hyperextended knee earlier than returning to guide Milwaukee to the championship because the NBA Finals MVP, scoring 50 factors within the title-clinching victory.

Middleton missed the Bucks’ closing 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament.

Final 12 months, a bruised decrease again knocked Antetokounmpo out of Sport 1 and prompted him to overlook the following two video games within the Bucks’ first-round loss to Miami.

Data from The Related Press was used on this report.