Bucks’ Khris Middleton To Play vs. Suns After Missing 16 Games

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will play against the Phoenix Suns after missing 16 games in a row. 

Middleton hurt his left ankle on February 6 against the Suns. 

Milwaukee Bucks F Khris Middleton (ankle) plans to make his return to the lineup vs. the Phoenix Suns Sunday on ABC, he told reporters today.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2024

Middleton is averaging 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season while shooting 48.7% from the field, 37.8% from beyond the arc and 83.2% from the free-throw line. 

During an interview with NBA reporter Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Middleton said he was dealing with the worst ankle injury of his career. 

“I can’t think of an ankle sprain I’ve had this bad like this that I’ve had in the past,” Middleton said. “After it happened I tried to play, run it off a little bit, see if it was going to loosen up or whatever. Just didn’t. Didn’t feel comfortable. Went into the back, tried to get re-taped, and as soon as I took my shoe off it just blew up. So had to shut it down.”

The Bucks are 43-24 on the season. They are in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

“I haven’t had setbacks, just taken a little bit maybe a day or two longer, a week or two longer or whatever, but it’s the position I’m in right now,” Middleton said. “Just haven’t been able to get to that final step to get out there and play. But I’ve been working hard. Been able to get on the court the last couple weeks but just haven’t been able to go 100%.”

Middleton has career averages of 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He helped the Bucks win the 2021 title over the Suns in six games.