Khris Middleton

MILWAUKEE (AP) Khris Middleton might not have been available for the Eastern Conference finals even if the Milwaukee Bucks had made it that far. The three-time All-Star missed the Bucks' last 10 games after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in Game 2 of a first-round series with the Chicago Bulls. Middleton sat out Milwaukee's entire second-round series with the Boston Celtics, who beat the Bucks in seven games and open the conference finals Tuesday in Miami.

Without their second star, Khris Middleton, it was an accomplishment itself for Giannis and the Bucks to get this far. An even bigger one? That the Celtics were able to withstand it.

Despite another impressive series from Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks were eliminated Sunday after a Game 7 loss to the Celtics, ending a postseason round in which the defending NBA champs were without Khris Middleton.

Despite another impressive series from Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks were eliminated Sunday after a Game 7 loss to the Celtics, ending a postseason round in which the defending NBA champs were without Khris Middleton.

Despite another impressive series from Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks were eliminated Sunday after a Game 7 loss to the Celtics, ending a postseason round in which the defending NBA champs were without Khris Middleton.