Khris Middleton Takes Part in ‘Light’ Bucks Practice

Forward Khris Middleton took part in a light Bucks practice and was assigned to practice with the G League’s Wisconsin Herd, coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

This news, of course, appears as if Middleton is nearing a season debut for the Eastern Conference contenders. Budenholzer, however, wasn’t ready to commit to Middleton returning for the Bucks’ road game vs. the Knicks on Wednesday.

“We’ll just see how today goes,” Budenholzer said, via Nehm. “We’re not going to put anything ahead of itself and just hopefully he has another great session today, see how he feels and just the old cliché take it day by day.”

Middleton has yet to play this season after undergoing wrist surgery over the summer, while Matthews has missed three straight games with a hamstring injury.

Last week Budenholzer told reporters that Middleton “has been making progress, probably steady and slow. We’ll just continue to see how he feels.”

Middleton, 31, is 6-foot-7 and a three-time All-Star, and widely viewed as the Bucks’ second-best player behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. He missed the Bucks’ second-round playoff series against the Celtics with the injury. 

Last season, he averaged 20.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 66 games, shooting 44 percent from the field. He has averaged at least 20 points in each of the past three seasons.

Originally selected by the Pistons in the second round of the 2012 draft, Middleton has spent all but his first season with the Bucks.

Bucks getting some free throws up today after practice. pic.twitter.com/Sya4bp5Ixa

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) November 28, 2022