BOSTON — Khris Middleton, the forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, is set to return to action this Friday night against the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, after missing the first 21 games of the season. He has been recuperating from surgeries on both ankles during the offseason.
Bucks’ head coach Doc Rivers disclosed that Middleton, a three-time All-Star, is expected to not start the game and will be subject to a restricted number of minutes on the court. Additionally, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will also participate in the game, coinciding with his 30th birthday, despite managing an issue related to his right patella.
Last season was challenging for Middleton, who played only 33 games due to ongoing health issues. He had previously missed the last ten games of the Bucks’ 2022 playoff run due to a sprained medial collateral ligament. Speaking to reporters after the team’s morning shootaround, Middleton emphasized his focus on returning to full readiness and the importance of mental preparedness for the lengthy season. He acknowledged the physical challenges ahead but expressed a determination to push through any adversities that arise.
This matchup marks the ninth occasion where Rivers, who became the Bucks coach for the latter part of last season, will have the opportunity to coach the All-Star trio of Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and newcomer Damian Lillard together. They have only shared the court 43 times across all games. Rivers remarked on the significance of having all key players on the floor, stressing that increased practice and game time together will help bolster team development, especially compared to other teams who have had their core players consistently play together.
Despite early season optimism from Rivers and general manager Jon Horst about Middleton’s recovery timeline, the challenges persisted for Middleton as he continues to fight for consistent playing time. The Bucks faced a rocky start to the season with a record of 2-8, but they have since bounced back, winning 9 of their last 11 games following a loss to Boston on November 10.
Rivers acknowledged the difficulty of reintegrating Middleton so deep into the season, yet he remains eager to utilize his talent, no matter how many minutes he can contribute. Middleton’s previous performance indicates he can be a significant asset when fit; he averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in the current season. During a past playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, when Antetokounmpo was sidelined, Middleton took charge and delivered impressive averages of 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over six games.
