"Bucks' Middleton Sidelined with Mouth Trauma, Antetokounmpo Returns in Loss to Knicks"

In a tense matchup against the New York Knicks, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks found himself in the thick of the action but unfortunately had to leave the game after a collision left him with a mouth injury. The incident occurred in the second quarter when Middleton took an accidental hit to the face from Donte DiVincenzo, followed by Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein landing on his back. With blood flowing from his mouth, Middleton signaled for assistance and was subsequently led off the court. This setback came as a blow to the Bucks, who had just welcomed back Giannis Antetokounmpo after a brief absence due to a hamstring issue.

Middleton's departure meant that the Bucks had to continue the game without one of their key players, adding to the challenge of facing a tough opponent like the Knicks. The injury also highlighted the fragility of the Bucks' lineup, as Middleton's absence meant that the team's top three stars - Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Damian Lillard - were not all on the court together for much of the recent games. Despite this setback, the Bucks will look to regroup and rely on their depth to maintain their competitive edge as they navigate through a challenging stretch of the season.