Bucks’ Khris Middleton exits loss after getting hit in mouth
Middleton fell to the floor after New York’s Donte DiVincenzo inadvertently hit him in the face. As Middleton was lying on his stomach, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein fell after hitting a shot and landed on the Bucks forward’s back.
The three-time All-Star motioned for help from the Bucks’ staff and then headed to the locker room with blood coming from his mouth. Later in the second quarter, the Bucks announced that Middleton wouldn’t return to the game because of mouth trauma. Without Middleton on the floor, the Knicks rallied.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Middleton got a tooth knocked out and was visiting a dentist after the game.
“You just feel bad for him,” Rivers said. “The guy can’t catch a break.”
Middleton’s injury came the same night that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo returned after missing a 117-111 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday because of an issue with his left hamstring. Antetokounmpo had 28 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists against the Knicks.
This marked just the fourth time in the past 29 games that the Bucks’ top three players — Antetokounmpo, Middleton and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard — were all available.
Middleton had 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 13 minutes before exiting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.