How much will injuries to NBA All-Stars affect the chances of the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns getting back to the Finals?
On back-to-back nights, the Bucks and Suns saw key players leave their Game 2 losses because of injuries. On Tuesday, it was Phoenix guard Devin Booker, who was diagnosed with a hamstring strain. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Thursday that Booker suffered a Grade I strain, which typically has a timetable of two to three weeks.
Wednesday, it was Milwaukee dealing with Middleton hobbling off with what coach Mike Budenholzer said after the game was an MCL sprain. Thursday, an MRI confirmed the sprain, and sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski the Bucks star will miss the rest of the opening round and will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Let's take a look at how the two teams will replace Booker and Middleton in the lineup as well as what their absences mean MIlwaukee's and Phoenix's chances of reclaiming home-court advantage in their series, both tied 1-1, and advancing long enough for the two players to return.
How the Bucks replace Middleton's production
Milwaukee's situation is different from Phoenix's with Booker, in that replacing Middleton will be much more of a committee approach.
