Khris Middleton practices fully, Bucks gear up for playoffs
On April 5, Khris Middleton exacerbated his right knee injury, which initially caused him to sit out 18 games from Dec. 17-Jan. 21.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer says Khris Middleton practiced fully Thursday as the three-time All-Star works his way back from a sore right knee and prepares for the playoffs.
Middleton has been out of play since he had to leave an April 5 victory over the Chicago Bulls due to an injury. He was also absent from 18 consecutive games from Dec. 17 to Jan. 21 because of soreness in his right knee.
Middleton’s injury is not connected to the one that prematurely terminated his 2021-22 postseason. The sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee kept him out of the last 10 playoff games for the Bucks in the previous season.
Budenholzer also stated that guards Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton have been practicing on a limited basis due to recovering from sprained right ankles. Allen was absent from the Bucks’ last four regular-season games, while Connaughton missed the final three.
Budenholzer expressed, “You aim for the best possible health. I believe for all these guys, practice is a crucial step. What’s almost as important is the response of your body and your feelings the next day. It was a collectively good day, and individually too for each of these guys. We are keen to see their response, their feelings, and to keep preparing for Sunday.”
The Bucks secured home-court advantage throughout their playoff run by having the NBA’s best regular-season record. They will commence their first-round series on Sunday at home, playing either the Bulls or the Miami Heat. These two teams will determine who advances in a play-in game in Miami on Friday.
