The Milwaukee Bucks head into Game 3 of their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers with some serious injury issues to their star core. Power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since the end of the regular season recovering from a calf strain, and now small forward Khris Middleton is dealing with an ankle injury. The Bucks and Pacers are tied 1-1, and Game 3 is typically crucial in these types of series when it comes to who ends up winning. Here’s the latest on Antetokounmpo and Middleton for Friday’s contest.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton injury updates
Update: Middleton is available and will start for the Bucks in Game 3.
Update: Antetokounmpo has officially been ruled out. Middleton remains questionable and is likely going to end up being a game-time decision.
The Greek Freak remains doubtful, which has been the case for the entire series. The Bucks were prepared to play without Antetokounmpo at the beginning of the series, and it sounds like he is set to come back in either Game 4 or Game 5. If the Bucks win this game, that might buy Antetokounmpo more time.
Middleton played through his ankle injury in Game 2 but did not end up practicing Thursday which made his status for Game 3 uncertain. He’s officially being listed as questionable an based on what he did in Game 2, it seems like he’ll be available in some capacity. However, there’s a chance the ankle doesn’t respond as he and the team hopes.
With Antetokounmpo out, the Bucks relied on Middleton and Bobby Portis to support Damian Lillard offensively. Portis was also an important factor on the glass. If Middleton is also out, that means players like Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton will be called upon to play heavy minutes and take more shots.