LAS VEGAS — Khris Middleton, the guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, has been sidelined for the NBA Cup final against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to illness.

Middleton did not participate in practice on Monday, leading the Bucks to determine that he was not fit to compete the following day. The team is optimistic that he can return for their upcoming back-to-back games when the regular season kicks off again on Friday against Cleveland, followed by a matchup at home against Washington on Saturday.

In addition to his recent illness, Middleton had previously missed the first 21 games of the season as he recuperated from surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. Since rejoining the team, he has averaged 7 points, 5.8 assists, and 3 rebounds over four games.

Middleton is a three-time All-Star and played a significant role in two championship victories in 2021, contributing to the Bucks’ NBA title win and representing the United States in the Tokyo Olympics, where he helped secure a gold medal. He contributed six points in the Bucks’ semifinal triumph over Atlanta in Las Vegas last Saturday.