Things took a turn for the worse early on for the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night. This was after Bobby Portis was thrown out of the game after just seven minutes played in the opening quarter.
Portis got ejected after a physical altercation with Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, and after reviewing the incident, Portis’ actions were deemed hostile enough to warrant an automatic ejection.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Khris Middleton Reacts to Bobby Portis’ Ejection
After the game, Khris Middleton could not help but speak out about his disappointment over Portis’ ejection. The three-time All-Star opened up about Portis constantly getting himself in trouble, which for the most part, he’s been able to get himself out of. This was not the case on Sunday.
“The emotions got the best of him this situation,” Middleton said, via Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I thought for the most part of the year he’s done a great job flirting with that line and not crossing over it. Tonight, it just crossed over at the worst time for us.”
The Bucks would go on to lose Game 4, 126-113.
‘Guys Stepped Up’
Middleton reiterated how important Portis is for the team — especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard out injured — and the fact that Portis couldn’t even get through the first quarter was an undeniably tough blow for Milwaukee.
Middleton, however, still credited his team for not giving up amid the overflowing adversity they’ve been faced with of late:
“Down two of your best players and then you’re down one of your best players that’s been playing off the bench all year long and now is in a starting role, we need him,” Middleton said. “It’s unfortunate what happened. But I thought we competed the rest of the game. Even though he went out, guys stepped up. Andre, he played a hell of a game. AJ (Green). (Malik Beasley) ‘Beas. Pat (Connaughton). Jae (Crowder). ‘Gallo.’ They all came in and gave valuable minutes.”
Whoever ends up playing in Game 5, there’s no denying that the Bucks will need to dig deep as they face a seemingly isurmountable 3-1 deficit against Indiana.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
