Khris Middleton (ankle) plays and scores 42 points in Bucks’ Game 3 loss to Pacers

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MILWAUKEE — Bucks ahead Khris Middleton was introduced formally out there and performed in Sport 3 in Indianapolis, scoring a game-high 42 factors in Milwaukee’s 121-118 time beyond regulation loss to the Pacers. Middleton was listed as questionable early Friday afternoon resulting from a sprained ankle that saved him from practising with the workforce on Thursday.

The Bucks have performed the primary three video games of this sequence with out two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a left calf pressure.

The Pacers lead the best-of-seven sequence 2-1 after Friday’s win.

Middleton was limping within the first quarter of the Bucks’ 125-108 Sport 2 loss on Tuesday and briefly went into the locker room, however he returned after getting his proper ankle re-taped and ended up enjoying 36 minutes. The three-time All-Star has averaged 19 factors, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists by means of the primary two video games.

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

“He did a whole lot of ground stuff at this time, most likely probably the most I’ve seen,” Rivers stated. “Nothing reside. He was capturing and transferring at this time.”

Whereas talking after the Bucks’ Thursday apply in Milwaukee, Rivers didn’t wish to speculate on when Antetokounmpo may return.

“I noticed him transferring round and my mindset is he’s getting shut,” Rivers stated. “Does that imply a day, 4 days? I’m undecided.”

The Bucks have performed with out key performers on quite a few events this yr. The Bucks had their high three gamers — Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Damian Lillard — all out there for less than 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 sequence.

“We’ve had video games like that this season,” Bucks heart Brook Lopez stated. “We’re ready for it. We’ve seen every part. Clearly, we’d want to have them play. But when they’ll’t, in the event that they should do no matter they should do to be wholesome, keep wholesome, we’ll be prepared.”

The Bucks have turn out to be accustomed to coping with accidents throughout the postseason.

Antetokounmpo missed the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami with a sprained ankle. He didn’t 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 who scored 50 factors within the title-clinching victory.

Middleton missed the Bucks’ remaining 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Final yr, a bruised decrease again knocked Antetokounmpo out of Sport 1 and triggered him to overlook the subsequent two video games within the Bucks’ first-round loss to Miami.

Info from The Related Press was used on this report.