The Milwaukee Bucks have advanced in the NBA playoffs after securing a gentleman's sweep against the Chicago Bulls. The Boston Celtics await them in the second round. Khris Middleton, who suffered an MCL injury against the Bulls, will not be around to help the Bucks.

After speculation that Giannis Antetokounmpo's co-star would be out for longer during the playoffs, it has now become the reality. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Middleton's MCL injury is a Grade 2 sprain and he is expected to be sidelined for the Bucks' upcoming series against the Celtics:

Losing Middleton for the duration of the series is a brutal development for the Bucks. As Kevin Durant can attest to, the Celtics defense is serious and is not scared of size. They play a big lineup consisting of two centers using a combination of Robert Williams, Al Horford and Daniel Theis. Add in great defenders like Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum, and you have a defense that could give the Bucks fits.

The Middleton injury deprives the Bucks of a reliable half-court option on offense and a key perimeter defender, which they will need against Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Antetokounmpo will need to have a phenomenal series, and Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and company will have to raise their level of play.

Although this Khris Middleton injury update is not what Bucks fans wanted to hear, Milwaukee still has a talented and resilient roster that will not go down easily in the NBA playoffs.