a 1–0 series lead. The Bucks would go on to win the series in 4 games. In Game 6 of the Conference Semifinals against the Brooklyn Nets, Middleton dropped a playoff career-high 38 points, alongside 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a 104–89 victory. In Game 3 of the Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks, Middleton tied his career-high 38 points, alongside 11 rebounds and seven assists in a 113–102 victory. In Game 6 of the Conference Finals against the Hawks, Middleton dropped 32 points in a 118–107 win, leading the Bucks to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974. In Game 4 of the Finals, he scored a playoff career-high 40 points to help defeat the Phoenix Suns. In Game 6, Middleton recorded 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, and made crucial baskets in the final minutes of the game to put away the Suns 105–98, closing out the series 4–2, securing the Bucks’ first NBA title in fifty years, and giving Middleton his first championship. 2021–22 season: Season-ending injury In the first game of the 2021–22 NBA season, Middleton scored 20 points and recorded 9 rebounds in a 127–104 blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. On November 1, Middleton entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol after testing positive for COVID-19. Middleton returned to the Bucks as they played the Lakers on November 17 after missing eight games. He scored 16 points and notched 6 assists, tying Ray Allen for the most made three-pointers in Milwaukee Bucks history. In the next game, against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 19, he passed Allen with his first shot in a 96–89 victory. On December 13, Middleton hyperextended his knee in a loss against the Boston Celtics, and missed the following three games. On January 22, 2022, Middleton led the Bucks to a 133-127 win over the Sacramento Kings with a then-season-high 34 points. On February 3, it was announced that Middleton had been selected as an All-Star for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. On March 6, Middleton scored a season-high 44 points along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists in a 132–122 win against the Phoenix Suns. On April 20, in a Game 2 loss during Milwaukee’s first round postseason matchup against Chicago, Middleton suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain, which sidelined him for the rest of the playoffs. The Bucks beat the Bulls