MILWAUKEE — Bucks forwards Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each exited with injuries on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls and did not return.

Middleton slipped on a drive to the basket during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of this first-round series and began favoring his left leg. He attempted to stretch and flex his leg on the sidelines before heading to the locker room. The team announced later in the quarter that he would not return due to knee soreness.

Portis was hit in the face by an elbow from Bulls center Tristan Thompson while the two went up for a rebound during the first quarter. No foul was called on the play, but Portis fell to the ground after contact and was bleeding near his right eye after the play.

Portis attempted to warm up briefly after halftime, but only stayed on the court for a short period of time before heading back to the locker room. Shortly after the third quarter began, the Bucks ruled him out for the rest of the game with a right eye abrasion.

Portis scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in six minutes.

The injury news wasn’t much better prior to Game 2 for the defending NBA champions. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said during his pregame media availability, that veteran guard George Hill wasn’t expected to return anytime soon from the abdominal strain that has prevented him from playing in the series.

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“We don’t expect him in the short term,” Budenholzer said.

Budenholzer said this issue is unrelated to the neck injury that caused Hill to miss 17 games earlier in the season. Hill said after returning from that injury that he’d been dealing with a partial tear between the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebra in his spine.

According to Budenholzer, the latest injury stems from something that happened in the Bucks’ April 8 game at Detroit. Hill hasn’t played since.

“We’ll see how he progresses over the next I’d say handful of days or more,” Budenholzer said.

Hill, 35, played 54 games during the regular season and averaged 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 23.2 minutes.

Jevon Carter filled Hill’s spot in the rotation the Bucks’ 93-86 Game 1 victory and scored three points in 10 minutes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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MILWAUKEE — Bucks forwards Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each exited with injuries on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls and did not return.

Middleton slipped on a drive to the basket during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of this first-round series and began favoring his left leg. He attempted to stretch and flex his leg on the sidelines before heading to the locker room. The team announced later in the quarter that he would not return due to knee soreness.

Portis was hit in the face by an elbow from Bulls center Tristan Thompson while the two went up for a rebound during the first quarter. No foul was called on the play, but Portis fell to the ground after contact and was bleeding near his right eye after the play.

Portis attempted to warm up briefly after halftime, but only stayed on the court for a short period of time before heading back to the locker room. Shortly after the third quarter began, the Bucks ruled him out for the rest of the game with a right eye abrasion.

Portis scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in six minutes.

The injury news wasn’t much better prior to Game 2 for the defending NBA champions. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said during his pregame media availability, that veteran guard George Hill wasn’t expected to return anytime soon from the abdominal strain that has prevented him from playing in the series.

2 Related

“We don’t expect him in the short term,” Budenholzer said.

Budenholzer said this issue is unrelated to the neck injury that caused Hill to miss 17 games earlier in the season. Hill said after returning from that injury that he’d been dealing with a partial tear between the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebra in his spine.

According to Budenholzer, the latest injury stems from something that happened in the Bucks’ April 8 game at Detroit. Hill hasn’t played since.

“We’ll see how he progresses over the next I’d say handful of days or more,” Budenholzer said.

Hill, 35, played 54 games during the regular season and averaged 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 23.2 minutes.

Jevon Carter filled Hill’s spot in the rotation the Bucks’ 93-86 Game 1 victory and scored three points in 10 minutes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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MILWAUKEE — Bucks forwards Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each exited with injuries on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls and did not return.

Middleton slipped on a drive to the basket during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of this first-round series and began favoring his left leg. He attempted to stretch and flex his leg on the sidelines before heading to the locker room. The team announced later in the quarter that he would not return due to knee soreness.

Portis was hit in the face by an elbow from Bulls center Tristan Thompson while the two went up for a rebound during the first quarter. No foul was called on the play, but Portis fell to the ground after contact and was bleeding near his right eye after the play.

Portis attempted to warm up briefly after halftime, but only stayed on the court for a short period of time before heading back to the locker room. Shortly after the third quarter began, the Bucks ruled him out for the rest of the game with a right eye abrasion.

Portis scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in six minutes.

The injury news wasn’t much better prior to Game 2 for the defending NBA champions. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said during his pregame media availability, that veteran guard George Hill wasn’t expected to return anytime soon from the abdominal strain that has prevented him from playing in the series.

2 Related

“We don’t expect him in the short term,” Budenholzer said.

Budenholzer said this issue is unrelated to the neck injury that caused Hill to miss 17 games earlier in the season. Hill said after returning from that injury that he’d been dealing with a partial tear between the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebra in his spine.

According to Budenholzer, the latest injury stems from something that happened in the Bucks’ April 8 game at Detroit. Hill hasn’t played since.

“We’ll see how he progresses over the next I’d say handful of days or more,” Budenholzer said.

Hill, 35, played 54 games during the regular season and averaged 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 23.2 minutes.

Jevon Carter filled Hill’s spot in the rotation the Bucks’ 93-86 Game 1 victory and scored three points in 10 minutes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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CHICAGO — The Braves and Cubs traded pitchers on Wednesday night with Atlanta reacquiring right-hander Jesse Chavez for left-hander Sean Newcomb.

Chavez, 38, was a key member of the Atlanta bullpen in 2021, helping the Braves to a World Series championship. He appeared in 30 regular-season games last year, compiling a 2.14 ERA, while pitching in seven postseason games without giving up a run. He was off to a slower start with the Cubs, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings this year.

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Newcomb, 29, was designated for assignment by the Braves on Tuesday after appearing in three games, giving up four runs and seven hits in five innings. Newcomb was a starter for much of his career before reverting to the bullpen in recent seasons. He was a first-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2014 with his best years coming for the Braves in 2018 and 2019.

This will be the third time Chavez puts on a Braves uniform in his 15-year career. He played for them in 2010 before winning a ring in Atlanta over a decade later.

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MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill isn’t expected to return anytime soon from the abdominal strain that has prevented him from playing thus far in the Bucks’ first-round playoff series with the Chicago Bulls.

“We don’t expect him in the short term,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Wednesday before Game 2.

Budenholzer said this issue is unrelated to the neck injury that caused Hill to miss 17 games earlier in the season. Hill said after returning from that injury that he’d been dealing with a partial tear between the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebrae in his spine.

2 Related

According to Budenholzer, the latest injury stems from something that happened in the Bucks’ April 8 game at Detroit. Hill hasn’t played since.

“We’ll see how he progresses over the next I’d say handful of days or more,” Budenholzer said.

Hill, 35, played 54 games during the regular season and averaged 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 23.2 minutes.

Jevon Carter filled Hill’s spot in the rotation in the Bucks’ 93-86 Game 1 victory and scored three points in 10 minutes.

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Pregame fashion has become woven into the fabric of the NBA, with some players building a reputation for their wardrobe selections.

Washington Wizards small forward Kyle Kuzma became one of the league’s front-runners in eye-catching outfits during the regular season.

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“I always look at fashion not as I’m just putting on clothes, but I’m putting together a story and putting together a look that when you see me, it’s a conversation piece,” he told the Boardroom.

Kuzma’s squad didn’t make it to the postseason, so he won’t be able to wear his unique fits on the pregame runway. But a handful of players stepped up and stood out in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics, Game 2

Smart won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, the first time a point guard has secured the honor since Gary Payton during the 1995-96 season. Given it is Smart’s first time winning DPOY, he donned a special robe that signified his accomplishment entering Game 2 against the Brooklyn Nets.

James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Game 1

Harden is no stranger to luxury couture. Last year, he was seen at Paris Fashion Week and was named to the board of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Ahead of his playoff debut with the Sixers, he sported the Louis Vuitton Blue & White “Puppet” Varsity Jacket. The colorful crocheted stuffed figures pinned on the coat really make the jacket stand out.

Maxey wore No. 3 before being drafted by Philly, but since that number is retired in honor of Allen Iverson, he had a decision to make.

“All my life, I’ve worn 3. Couldn’t get that one here,” said the first-round pick.

He paid tribute to the Sixers legend by wearing an Iverson jersey that featured several photos of the Basketball Hall of Famer.

It ended up being a fitting outfit choice. Maxey’s 38 points in Game 1 were the most in a playoff opener by a 76ers player since A.I. in 2003.

Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz, Game 1

Some players have an adventurous take on fashion, while others opt for the classic suit and tie look. With a little personalization, these Jazz stars had no issues rocking the tried-and-true combination.

Clarkson donned a white Midnight Studios button-up shirt with a black tie and slacks, with the leather harness adding a modern spin on an old classic.

Bogdanovic chose a more traditional route with his all-black ensemble and a pocket square that provided a splash of color.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Game 1

After missing a month with a foot injury, Curry returned to the Warriors’ lineup on April 16 against the Denver Nuggets. The coat he wore in his first game back took vibrancy to a new level.

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Pregame fashion has become woven into the fabric of the NBA, with some players building a reputation for their wardrobe selections.

Washington Wizards small forward Kyle Kuzma became one of the league’s front-runners in eye-catching outfits during the regular season.

2 Related

“I always look at fashion not as I’m just putting on clothes, but I’m putting together a story and putting together a look that when you see me, it’s a conversation piece,” he told the Boardroom.

Kuzma’s squad didn’t make it to the postseason, so he won’t be able to wear his unique fits on the pregame runway. But a handful of players stepped up and stood out in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics, Game 2

Smart won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, the first time a point guard has secured the honor since Gary Payton during the 1995-96 season. Given it is Smart’s first time winning DPOY, he donned a special robe that signified his accomplishment entering Game 2 against the Brooklyn Nets.

James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Game 1

Harden is no stranger to luxury couture. Last year, he was seen at Paris Fashion Week and was named to the board of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Ahead of his playoff debut with the Sixers, he sported the Louis Vuitton Blue & White “Puppet” Varsity Jacket. The colorful crocheted stuffed figures pinned on the coat really make the jacket stand out.

Maxey wore No. 3 before being drafted by Philly, but since that number is retired in honor of Allen Iverson, he had a decision to make.

“All my life, I’ve worn 3. Couldn’t get that one here,” said the first-round pick.

He paid tribute to the Sixers legend by wearing an Iverson jersey that featured several photos of the Basketball Hall of Famer.

It ended up being a fitting outfit choice. Maxey’s 38 points in Game 1 were the most in a playoff opener by a 76ers player since A.I. in 2003.

Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz, Game 1

Some players have an adventurous take on fashion, while others opt for the classic suit and tie look. With a little personalization, these Jazz stars had no issues rocking the tried-and-true combination.

Clarkson donned a white Midnight Studios button-up shirt with a black tie and slacks, with the leather harness adding a modern spin on an old classic.

Bogdanovic chose a more traditional route with his all-black ensemble and a pocket square that provided a splash of color.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Game 1

After missing a month with a foot injury, Curry returned to the Warriors’ lineup on April 16 against the Denver Nuggets. The coat he wore in his first game back took vibrancy to a new level.

Read More