Khris Middleton practices fully, Bucks gear up for playoffs
On April 5, Khris Middleton worsened his right knee injury, the same issue that initially caused him to sit out 18 games from Dec. 17 to 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 was forced to leave during a victory against the Chicago Bulls on April 5 due to an injury. He also sat out 18 consecutive games from Dec. 17 to Jan. 21 due to soreness in his right knee.
Middleton’s injury is not connected to the one which cut his 2021-22 postseason short. A sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee caused him to sit out the final 10 playoff games of the Bucks’ last season.
Budenholzer confirmed that guards Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton have been practicing on a limited basis, as they are both recovering from sprained right ankles. Allen was absent from the Bucks’ final four regular-season games, while Connaughton missed the last three games.
Budenholzer stated, “The goal is to achieve optimal health. For all of these individuals, practicing is a critical step, followed by monitoring how they feel the next day and observing their body’s response, which is almost as important. Collectively, it was a productive day. Each of these individuals had a good day. We will monitor their response, check how they feel and continue to prepare for Sunday.”
The Bucks secured home-court advantage throughout their playoffs after achieving the NBA’s best regular-season record. They will commence their first-round series at home on Sunday, against either the Bulls or the Miami Heat. The latter two teams will determine their playoff fate in a play-in game in Miami on Friday.
