Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton was left spitting blood onto the court after copping a brutal elbow from the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown.
It was just one element of a horror evening for the Bucks, going down 140-99 to the Celtics in a dominant display from the visitors.
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Boston’s dominance was on full show in the first half as they went into the break ahead 75-47.
The third quarter didn’t fare much better for the Bucks, being outscored 39-27 by their rivals.
And the shocking injury to Middleton just made matters worse.
The incident occurred midway through the third quarter.
As Brown drove his way through to the middle, he had Middleton doing his defensive duties right in front of him.
Just as the Celtics star looked to raise the ball and shoot it, his right elbow caught Middleton flush on the mouth and sent him tumbling to the hardwood.
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A foul was immediately called before the camera panned in on Middleton, who then spat out plenty of blood.
“Oh, look at the blood come out,” one commentator remarked.
“Oh my goodness,” the other replied.
Middleton then left the court and would not return to the contest, while Brown’s common foul was not upgraded to a flagrant foul.
The Bucks later confirmed Middleton received stitches in his upper lip as a result of the contact.
Middleton’s unfortunate night at the office added insult to injury for Milwaukee, as Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Brown exploded with 40 and 30-point games respectively.
For the Bucks, superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was the only shining light with 24 points, seven rebounds and two assists in an otherwise dismal showing from the Eastern Conference leaders.
FULL SCORES
Bucks 99-140 Celtics
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