With Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton being cleared to practice after missing eight games while in the NBA’s Health and Safety protocols, the team intends to welcome him back to the lineup against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wednesday. After practice Tuesday, Middleton discussed his progress to get back to this point via NBA.com.
“I’ve been working out the last couple of days here while guys were on the road,” Middleton said after Tuesday’s practice. “In practice, I felt good. But everybody knows game shape is a totally different ballgame. I can’t wait to see how I feel tomorrow.”
The Bucks (6-8) are currently off to a slow start and struggled to a 3-5 record without the two-time All-Star. Middleton’s return coincides with a five-game homestand.
Middleton averaged 20 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in the six games he has played this season.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer discussed how Middleton’s importance goes much farther than just scoring.
“I think it’s underrated what he does for us defensively, underrated what he does for us on the boards, his communication, his leadership,” Budenholzer said. “Everybody’s going to talk about the scoring and the shooting and all those things. I don’t want to undervalue or underestimate those, but I think he really is a complete player, and he’s a great leader.”
Milwaukee plays the Lakers Wednesday at 7:30 pm EST.
