Finally, after 16 straight games on the shelf, Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton was able to return to action on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. Middleton wasn’t a mere participant in the game either, with the three-time All-Star picking up right where he left off prior to suffering an ankle injury in early February.
It’s as if Middleton did not miss a beat, finishing with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, to go along with three rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and two triples in 25 minutes of action. There’s no denying that Middleton played a significant role in Milwaukee’s impressive 140-129 victory against the Suns.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Khris Middleton Reacts to First Game Back
The Bucks needed a big game for Middleton in this one too, with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined with a hamstring injury. The 6-foot-7 swingman stepped up to the plate, and for the most part, it didn’t look like Middleton had just spent 16 consecutive games out injured.
There were still some rusty moments here and there but all in all, it was an incredible first game back for the 32-year-old.
“It’s weird I’ve been doing this a long time where I know how to slow myself down and not try to go too fast or speed myself up,” Middleton said, via Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I know how to come in, play at my pace and change my pace when need be. A lot of the work I was doing in rehab was just making sure my wind was there, my conditioning was as good as it can be, and I thought it was.”
The Bucks took an awful long time in bringing Middleton back into the fold, which just goes to show how cautious they have been with their star forward. It now appears that their prudence has paid off, with Middleton looking like he’s in excellent form despite the lengthy layoff.
“Khris Middleton, I tell you, for a guy that missed that many games to look that good was pretty impressive,” head coach Doc Rivers said after the game.
I could not agree more.
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