Bucks' Monroe diagnosed with strained MCL, out again vs. Clippers

The Milwaukee Bucks will be without big man Greg Monroe for the second time in as many nights when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Monroe, who suited up for the Bucks' first 25 games of the season, was a late scratch before Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a sore left knee, and the team revealed Wednesday that he is dealing with a grade 1 MCL sprain.

The injury is expected to sideline Monroe for a week.

The 25-year-old is averaging a career-high 16.2 points to go with 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in Milwaukee after signing a three-year, $50-million contract with the Bucks during the summer.

With Monroe in the fold, the Bucks were expected to build on last season's surprising postseason appearance, but instead have sputtered to a 10-16 start.