The Milwaukee Bucks will be without two of their most important players on Monday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers. Giannis Antetokounmpo was a late scratch due to an Achilles injury, which is a decision that came as a bit of a surprise.
As for Khris Middleton, however, the three-time All-Star will be out of commission for an 11th straight contest as he remains without a firm timetable to return.
Milwaukee Bucks Coach Doc Rivers Provides Update on Khris Middleton
Middleton was supposed to join the Bucks on their two-game road trip last week. He did not. Head coach Doc Rivers said on Friday that the 32-year-old forward “went through an intense workout” in practice, which led a lot of us to believe that Middleton was getting close. As it turns out, he is not.
Coach Doc spoke to reporters before Monday’s matchup against the Clippers and he made it clear that Middleton has not suffered an injury setback. However, the tenured shot-caller still wasn’t able to provide a substantial update on the former Texas A&M standout’s status moving forward:
“No. He’s just not ready,” Rivers said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “He’s close. Do we expect him on this trip? We’re hoping, but again, if it’s just not 100 percent for us, we’re just not willing to push it right now. There’s no need to.”
As Rivers said, there is still hope that Middleton will re-join the squad in their upcoming four-game California road trip. Then again, given how the Bucks have been so cautious with their star swingman, I wouldn’t be holding my breath.
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