MILWAUKEE — Ahead Khris Middleton, taking part in in his first recreation after a 16-game absence, discovered his rhythm straight away, scoring 22 factors because the Milwaukee Bucks — sans star Giannis Antetokounmpo — beat the Phoenix Suns 140-129 on Sunday.
Middleton, who hadn’t performed since Feb. 16 due to a sprained ankle, additionally had seven assists in 25 minutes. He knocked down his first area objective try — a 3-pointer with 11:10 left within the first quarter — and rolled from there because the Bucks have been capable of win with out Antetokounmpo, who was a late scratch earlier than Sunday’s recreation with left hamstring soreness.
“For a man that missed that many video games to look that good was fairly spectacular,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned of Middleton after the sport.
Middleton mentioned he took additional time within the rehab course of to ensure the swelling in his injured ankle went down, and that he was in form to return.
“I been doing this a very long time,” Middleton mentioned after the sport. “I understand how to gradual myself and never attempt to go too quick — or pace myself up. I understand how to return in, play at my tempo and alter my tempo. Plenty of the work I used to be doing at rehab was simply attempting to ensure my wind was there, my conditioning was nearly as good as it may be.”
Middleton’s marketing campaign has been disjointed by accidents and an early-season minutes restriction, however he had averaged 14.8 factors on 48.7% taking pictures — his highest area objective share since 2019-20 — coming into Sunday’s recreation.
The Bucks are hoping Middleton can keep wholesome and discover his stride with 14 video games remaining within the common season.
Middleton’s presence helped generate pictures for Bobby Portis, who scored a career-best 25 first-half factors — essentially the most in a half by any reserve within the NBA this season, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info. Portis completed with 31 factors and 10 rebounds off the bench in opposition to the Suns.
Milwaukee star Damian Lillard added 31 factors and 16 assists, turning into the primary participant in Bucks historical past with at the least 30 factors and 15 assists.
“[Middleton] regarded nice to me,” Lillard mentioned. “He actually took his time to ensure he was proper. At our age, how lengthy we have been on this league and what number of miles we have got on our our bodies, we all know our our bodies, once we must be coming again.
“Coming off harm, he made an important choice to attend all the way in which up till he felt proper. … His recreation simply regarded sharp.”
Antetokounmpo instructed reporters Thursday that he felt sore throughout warmups earlier than taking part in by way of the ache in a victory over Philadelphia.
He has a historical past of desirous to play by way of accidents, however Rivers urged Antetokounmpo to be cautious Sunday, noting that he’d have 5 days off earlier than doubtlessly taking part in Wednesday in opposition to the Boston Celtics. Finally, Antetokounmpo agreed to relaxation the hamstring.
“We’re solely involved a little bit bit,” Rivers mentioned after the sport. “We have been blissful he determined to [sit out].”
