Three-time All-Star Khris Middleton is set to come off the bench for the foreseeable future, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports.
Middleton has struggled in his recovery from double ankle surgery, and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reportedly wants to maintain continuity in the starting lineup as the veteran works his way back to form.
The 33-year-old is also on a minutes restriction and was informed of the decision on Monday after Milwaukee’s game against the Toronto Raptors.
In 12 games so far this season, Middleton is averaging 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Sources: Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton is returning for tonight’s game against San Antonio Spurs and will come off the bench as the team tries to find continuity in starting lineup. #haynesbriefs pic.twitter.com/CgKOD5Oo4e
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 8, 2025
Bucks Searching For Rhythm
After seemingly turning their season around by winning the NBA Cup, Milwaukee has only managed to win four of nine games since.
Three of those wins have come against sub-.500 teams, including two of the worst teams in the league record-wise, in Toronto and the Washington Wizards.
Andre Jackson Jr. has emerged as a key defender for Milwaukee while Taurean Prince has also shown his value as a 3-and-D role player in the starting lineup.
In an ideal world, Middleton would supplant one of them when playing his best, but that is a distant memory at the moment.
NBA Cup Winner Fool’s Gold?
Just like the Los Angeles Lakers last season, it appears winning the NBA Cup isn’t necessarily a precursor for contention when it comes to the Larry O’Brien trophy.
All seemed fixed when the Bucks won 12 of 15 games to turn around a horrendous 4-9 start to the year. The thumping Cup final win over the Oklahoma City Thunder now, though, is looking more and more like it will be an exclamation point on the season.
This is a team sorely lacking depth, so the importance of a fully fit Middleton can’t be understated. Anything less, and it’s hard to picture the Bucks being anything close to the team that won it all in 2021.
The experiment of Middleton off the bench will tip off on Wednesday night against the San Antonio Spurs.
