Middleton logged 33 points (10-24 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 9-9 FT), six rebounds and six assists in 41 minutes during Wednesday's 128-126 overtime loss to the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Middleton carried the Bucks on offense and reached the 30-point mark for the second time in the series, but his efforts were not enough, and the Bucks ended up suffering a shocking first-round exit against the eighth seed in the East. Middleton averaged 23.8 points per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from deep in the series.
Middleton registered 23 points (8-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, six assists and two steals in 34 minutes during Saturday's 121-99 loss to Miami in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Middleton was efficient from the field while finishing with team highs in points and assists during Saturday's loss. Through the first three games of the opening-round series, the veteran wing has averaged 24.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 31.7 minutes, but if Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) remains sidelined, Milwaukee may need Middleton to take his game to another level moving forward.
Bucks' Khris Middleton: Leads offense in balanced showing
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Middleton registered 33 points (12-20 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 7-10 FT), nine rebounds and four assists over 33 minutes during Sunday's 130-117 loss to the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Middleton returned to the starting lineup after missing the final two regular-season games due to a knee issue, lifting Milwaukee offensively with team-high totals in scoring and rebounds while finishing one board shy of a double-double. Middleton surpassed the 30-point mark just twice during the regular season. If Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) misses Game 2 on Wednesday, Middleton would be in line for a larger role offensively. .
Bucks' Khris Middleton: No restrictions in playoffs
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Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Sunday that there are "no minute restrictions" for Middleton in the playoffs, Kassidy Hill of the Journal Sentinel reports.
Middleton was hampered by injuries all season and sat out the Bucks' final two regular-season games due to a lingering knee issue, but the former All-Star is expected to be full go during postseason action. "It's the playoffs...we expect him to be good to go," Budenholzer added. Across 33 regular-season appearances (19 starts), Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game.
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Bucks' Khris Middleton: Ready to go Sunday
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Middleton (knee) is not listed in the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 against the Heat.
Middleton missed the Bucks' final two regular-season games due to his lingering knee issue, but he's been ramping up in practice recently and was a full participant Thursday, so his availability for this contest wasn't really in doubt. Middleton struggled with injuries all season long and started in just 19 of his 33 regular-season outings, averaging 15.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds per contest. It remains to be seen if he'll be under a minutes restriction for the playoff opener, though.
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Bucks' Khris Middleton: Practices fully Thursday
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Middleton (knee) fully participated in Thursday's practice session, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Middleton missed the Bucks' final two regular-season games due to his lingering knee issue, and he was limited to individual and weight-room work during Tuesday's practice. However, he ramped up his workload two days later, an encouraging sign for his availability to begin the playoffs. The 31-year-old will have a few more days to rest before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Sunday, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him suit up for the start of the postseason.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Middleton (knee) was limited to individual and weight-room work during Tuesday's practice, but he's expected to be more involved Thursday, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Middleton missed back-to-back contests to end the regular season and appeared in only 17 of Milwaukee's final 27 games while managing right knee soreness. He'll have a couple more days to rehab and rest before the Bucks find out who their opponent will be in the opening round of the playoffs.
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Bucks' Khris Middleton: Sitting Sunday as expected
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Middleton (knee) will not take the floor Sunday against the Raptors.
It was reported Friday that Middleton was targeting the playoffs for his return to the floor, so his absence from the lineup Sunday doesn't come as a surprise. Middleton closes out the regular season averaging 15.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds on 44/32/90 shooting over 24.3 minutes per game in his 33 appearances (19 starts) for the Bucks.
Bucks' Khris Middleton: Hopes to be ready for playoffs
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Middleton (knee), who is out Friday against Memphis, hopes to be ready for the start of the playoffs, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Middleton appeared to tweak his knee during Wednesday's win over the Bulls, and he underwent an MRI on Thursday. He's expected to rehab for approximately a week but could be back in action once the postseason is underway. It seems unlikely that the 31-year-old will be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against Toronto, as his focus appears to be on preparing for the postseason.
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Bucks' Khris Middleton: Won't play Friday
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Middleton (knee) will not play Friday against Memphis.
Middleton was in the lineup for Wednesday's win over the Bulls, but he departed early after appearing to tweak his right knee on a fadeaway jump shot. Considering the veteran has missed extensive time this season due to knee issues, Middleton will likely be held out of both of Milwaukee's remaining regular season games with the goal of having him back at full strength for Round 1 of the postseason.
Middleton won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Bulls due to right knee soreness.
Middleton recorded one rebound in eight minutes before exiting Wednesday's game early. Joe Ingles, Jae Crowder and Wesley Matthews will likely receive extended minutes in his absence. Middleton's status for Friday's matchup with Memphis is uncertain.
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Bucks' Khris Middleton: Not listed on injury report
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Middleton (knee/rest) isn't listed on the Bucks' injury report for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
Middleton sat out Tuesday's game against the Wizards to manage his surgically repaired knee, but it appears he'll return to action for the second half of Milwaukee's back-to-back set. The veteran forward has appeared in seven of the Bucks' past 10 games, averaging 19.1 points, 6.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 29.7 minutes during that stretch.
