Bucks' Khris Middleton Leaves Game After Getting Hit In The Mouth

Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton (22) attempts to save the ball from going out of bounds in front of New York Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton (22) attempts to save the ball from going out of bounds in front of New York Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Khris Middleton left the Milwaukee Bucks' game against the New York Knicks on Sunday after getting hit in the mouth midway through the second quarter.

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 due to mouth trauma.

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 due to an issue with his left hamstring.

This marked just the fourth time in the last 29 games that the Bucks’ top three players – Antetokounmpo, Middleton and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard – were all available.

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