Despite some optimism earlier in the week that Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton would return for Game 7, there’s now pessimism that will happen. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst says that things haven’t developed at Milwaukee hoped they might. “Earlier this week, the folks I was talking to were giving me some optimism about Middleton playing this weekend, but that has not happened. That has not developed,” Windhorst said. “And now I would say there’s pessimism about Sunday, and frankly, I have been told that even if the Bucks advance to the conference finals, there’d be pessimism he’d be ready to start.”
Source: RealGM
Source: RealGM
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Reported pessimism Khris Middleton will return in Game 7 Sunday nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/14/rep… – 12:30 PM
Reported pessimism Khris Middleton will return in Game 7 Sunday nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/14/rep… – 12:30 PM
Rob Peterson @ShotDrJr
It’s weird to see Middleton trending and get a mix of Khris and Kate. – 11:02 PM
It’s weird to see Middleton trending and get a mix of Khris and Kate. – 11:02 PM
Greg Dickerson @gregdickerson13
I felt not having Middleton would be the difference in this series…he’s desperately missed by Milwaukee tonight – 9:36 PM
I felt not having Middleton would be the difference in this series…he’s desperately missed by Milwaukee tonight – 9:36 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Celtics at Bucks – Fiserv Forum – May 13, 2022 – Game 6 Starters
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, G. Williams
Milwaukee – Jrue Holiday, Wes Matthews, Grayson Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
OUT:
Boston: R. Williams, Hauser
Milwaukee: Middleton pic.twitter.com/g7FZOIKHa0 – 7:10 PM
Celtics at Bucks – Fiserv Forum – May 13, 2022 – Game 6 Starters
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, G. Williams
Milwaukee – Jrue Holiday, Wes Matthews, Grayson Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
OUT:
Boston: R. Williams, Hauser
Milwaukee: Middleton pic.twitter.com/g7FZOIKHa0 – 7:10 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The Bucks list Khris Middleton as OUT for Game 6. That’s as was expected. – 8:58 PM
The Bucks list Khris Middleton as OUT for Game 6. That’s as was expected. – 8:58 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
The Bucks really might win a playoff series without Giannis last year and without Middleton this year. Both times, lucky to still have Holiday out there. – 9:57 PM
The Bucks really might win a playoff series without Giannis last year and without Middleton this year. Both times, lucky to still have Holiday out there. – 9:57 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Bucks might really win this series without Khris Middleton after the Celtics just swept Durant and Kyrie.
They play with a level of competitiveness and will that’s just almost impossible to match.
That’s a direct reflection of Giannis.
He sets the tone and elevates everyone. – 9:51 PM
Bucks might really win this series without Khris Middleton after the Celtics just swept Durant and Kyrie.
They play with a level of competitiveness and will that’s just almost impossible to match.
That’s a direct reflection of Giannis.
He sets the tone and elevates everyone. – 9:51 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Just a massive missed opportunity for the Celtics. Couldn’t close Game 3. Epic collapse in Game 5. And no Middleton.
Windows only open VERY briefly and sometimes only by the slimmest amount. You have to get through them when they do. – 9:46 PM
Just a massive missed opportunity for the Celtics. Couldn’t close Game 3. Epic collapse in Game 5. And no Middleton.
Windows only open VERY briefly and sometimes only by the slimmest amount. You have to get through them when they do. – 9:46 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
… and the reigning champion Bucks don’t even have Khris Middleton. Guts. Toughness. Resiliency. Championship mettle. – 9:45 PM
… and the reigning champion Bucks don’t even have Khris Middleton. Guts. Toughness. Resiliency. Championship mettle. – 9:45 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Last year, the Bucks learned how to win 16 games. They’re teaching the Celtics how hard it is in this series. Now they’re one win from the conference finals – and with Khris Middleton still watching in street clothes. – 9:43 PM
Last year, the Bucks learned how to win 16 games. They’re teaching the Celtics how hard it is in this series. Now they’re one win from the conference finals – and with Khris Middleton still watching in street clothes. – 9:43 PM
J. Michael Falgoust @ThisIsJMichael
You know you excuse makers who try to discredit other players’ championships to uplift your team/favorite players when they lose: when you’re made of championship stuff, you get it done. Series far from over but see Milwaukee minus Middleton and Phoenix w/o Booker – 9:42 PM
You know you excuse makers who try to discredit other players’ championships to uplift your team/favorite players when they lose: when you’re made of championship stuff, you get it done. Series far from over but see Milwaukee minus Middleton and Phoenix w/o Booker – 9:42 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Devastating loss for the Celtics and incredible win for the Bucks. No Middleton, some problems, but not enough for that Giannis & that Bucks’ defense to overcome. – 9:40 PM
Devastating loss for the Celtics and incredible win for the Bucks. No Middleton, some problems, but not enough for that Giannis & that Bucks’ defense to overcome. – 9:40 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Man, Middleton being out is just a killer for Milwaukee’s offense in the halfcourt against this Boston team. Such a bummer. They need one more guy. – 7:59 PM
Man, Middleton being out is just a killer for Milwaukee’s offense in the halfcourt against this Boston team. Such a bummer. They need one more guy. – 7:59 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Bucks at Celtics– TD Garden – May 11, 2022 – Game 5 Starters
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, G. Williams
Milwaukee – Jrue Holiday, Wes Matthews, Grayson Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
OUT:
Boston: R. Williams, Hauser
Milwaukee: Middleton pic.twitter.com/CvsevtWlSI – 7:03 PM
Bucks at Celtics– TD Garden – May 11, 2022 – Game 5 Starters
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, G. Williams
Milwaukee – Jrue Holiday, Wes Matthews, Grayson Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
OUT:
Boston: R. Williams, Hauser
Milwaukee: Middleton pic.twitter.com/CvsevtWlSI – 7:03 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Khris Middleton has been able to do some activity on the court recently.
“He’s done a little bit on the court and we’re feeling good about where he is and optimistic. But it’s kind of the same update it’s been for the last handful of days” – 5:50 PM
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Khris Middleton has been able to do some activity on the court recently.
“He’s done a little bit on the court and we’re feeling good about where he is and optimistic. But it’s kind of the same update it’s been for the last handful of days” – 5:50 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Mike Budenholzer said the Bucks are feeling “optimistic” about Khris Middleton’s progress, but that he’s in the same place as far as returning to play. – 5:38 PM
Mike Budenholzer said the Bucks are feeling “optimistic” about Khris Middleton’s progress, but that he’s in the same place as far as returning to play. – 5:38 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Bud says Middleton has been able to do a little bit of on court work and adds we’re feeling good about where he is and optimistic – 5:33 PM
Bud says Middleton has been able to do a little bit of on court work and adds we’re feeling good about where he is and optimistic – 5:33 PM
More on this storyline
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed as much during Thursday’s episode of NBA Countdown and even said he hasn’t fully been ruled out for a return in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics even though it appears unlikely: “There’s been some speculation about the possibility of him returning in this series. He’s listed out right now for Game 6. I’m told it’s unlikely he plays Game 6 even Game 7—not fully been ruled out, although that’s what it says on the injury report. But I’m told he’s making very good progress. If the Bucks were to win this series, close out the Celtics, I think you could very much expect to see Khris Middleton back for the Bucks in the conference finals.” -via Bleacher Report / May 12, 2022
Chris Mannix: Mike Budenholzer says Khris Middleton, out all series with a knee injury, has done “a little” on the court and is making progress, but there is no significant update. -via Twitter @SIChrisMannix / May 11, 2022
Eric Nehm: The Bucks have submitted their injury report for Game 3 against the Celtics. Probable: George Hill (abdominal strain) OUT: Khris Middleton (left MCL sprain) -via Twitter @eric_nehm / May 6, 2022
