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NBA champions the Milwaukee Bucks confirmed two-time All-Star Khris Middleton has tested positive for coronavirus.
Middleton had missed Sunday’s 107-95 loss to the Utah Jazz with “illness” and was again absent from the Bucks team to play the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, who had said after the Jazz defeat that the illness was not COVID-related, confirmed prior to the Pistons clash Middleton had since entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
“We thought he just had a head cold or some type of non-COVID illness,” Budenholzer told reporters. “And then, [he] didn’t feel good again the next day. Got tested and has come back positive.”
The Bucks, who have lost three consecutive games to slip to a 3-4 record, are already missing Jrue Holiday (ankle), Donte Divincenzo (ankle) and Brook Lopez (back).
Under the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Middleton must sit out for 10 days minimum, meaning he may miss more than seven games stretching until next Friday’s battle against the Boston Celtics.
“It’s a challenge to figure out who’s available, to get the best groupings out there and how we can get through a game and not really wear down the guys that are healthy,” Budenholzer said.
Middleton becomes the third NBA player to test positive to COVID-19 this week, following Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love.
The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist averaged 20.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists across the Bucks’ title-winning 2020-21 season.
Milwaukee have failed to lead at any point in three different games this season, including their loss on Sunday per Stats Perform. Last season, the Bucks held a lead in all 72 of their games.
The Bucks have won 10 straight games against Detroit – tied for Milwaukee’s longest active win streak against any opponent (also the Sacramento Kings). It is also the longest win streak by either team in the series history.
