While Milwaukee Bucks hope to see Khris Middleton return from injury, there’s no timetable for George Hill

Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report (Dec. 23): Latest update on Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard's status

The Milwaukee Bucks are not a better team without three-time all-star Khris Middleton, but in the first-round matchup with the Chicago Bulls the addition of Bobby Portis to the starting lineup helped the team regroup after Middleton’s injury in a Game 2 loss.

Consecutive blowout wins in Chicago have the Bucks on the verge of ending the series in five games — but it won’t speed up the timeline for Middleton’s return from a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL).

After Middleton was injured in the fourth quarter April 20, the team said the 30-year-old’s status would be updated after about two weeks. Wearing a brace while watching his teammates win in Chicago, Middleton seemed in good spirits on the bench and in the hallways of the United Center.

Could he play in the next round?

“I hope so,” he said Friday morning. “For sure, they say two weeks. Hopefully I’ll be ready or close to getting back to the court around then.”

The Boston Celtics have a chance to sweep the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, but the NBA has not yet set dates for the beginning of the semifinal round. Since the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown era began in Boston in 2017-18, Middleton has averaged 22.4 points per game on 51.6% shooting in two playoff series against the Celtics and 19 points on 45% shooting in 16 regular-season games.

But until then, the Bucks will have to make do without their second-leading scorer, a clutch late-game performer and an underrated defender.

“We did it last year as a group,” Middleton said. “When Giannis (Antetokounmpo) went down (in the Eastern Conference finals) everybody stepped up and played a major part, so I expect nothing less. I feel like guys are ready to step up and play. They know right now it’s win or go home time.”

George Hill has a ways to go

Veteran George Hill suffered an abdominal strain against Detroit on April 8 and though Hill didn’t practice during the week leading into the playoffs, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer was optimistic point guard would be available to play against the Bulls.

But once the first-round series began, Hill was ruled out immediately.

“I don’t think that I would put it in the day-to-day category,” Budenholzer said Sunday. “I think he’s going to need a little bit more time. Hopefully it’s shorter rather than longer, but I don’t think he’s considered day-to-day.”

Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report (Dec. 23): Latest update on Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard's status

Hill said he has an issue in his back between his T6 and T7 vertebrae that will need to be addressed in the offseason, which led to a neck issue that sidelined him for 17 games. In all, he missed 28 regular-season games.

Jevon Carter has taken Hill’s place in the rotation and has averaged 14.5 minutes per game against the Bulls. Though Carter is averaging just 1.5 shot attempts per game, he has an incredible 82.7 defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) while on the court.