Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton did not have to wait long to test his body during his season debut, a 111-105 loss against the Boston Celtics on Friday.
Within two minutes of checking into his first game since having off-season surgeries on both of his ankles, Middleton was bodychecked to the floor on a foul by Boston’s Sam Hauser.
“I love it. Get it out of the way,” said Middleton, who had 11 points, five assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes. “That’s something that’s been happening to me in play groups, one-on-one sessions, workouts. Just feeling that contact. Of course the contact was a little bit more during the game, but I needed to feel that and feel like what it is to be hit, fall down on the floor and not really worry about anything.”
Photo: EPA-EFE
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said the three-time All-Star would be on a minutes restriction, but Middleton wound up finishing the game after an illness sidelined Taurean Prince in the second half.
Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with right patella tendinopathy, also played on his 30th birthday.
Although he acknowledged being winded multiple times, Middleton said he came through well physically.
“Everybody wants to start and everybody wants to finish games,” Middleton said. “I didn’t get to start tonight, but I definitely was happy I got to finish the game. Just wish I could have executed a little better. I thought I missed one shot that I normally hit... It was a ball game the whole time up until maybe the last two or three possessions.”
Middleton missed the Bucks’ first 21 games this season. The 33-year-old appeared in 55 games last season and just 33 in 2022-2023 because of injuries.
A knee injury forced him to miss the Bucks’ final 10 playoff games in 2022.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ 76ers 102, Magic 94
‧ Bulls 123, Pacers 132
‧ Hawks 134, Lakers 132
‧ Spurs 113, Kings 140
‧ Trail Blazers 99, Jazz 141
‧ Warriors 90, T’wolves 107
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