Khris Middleton has already said that he intends to play in the Milwaukee Bucks’ last preseason game on Friday. It’s encouraging to hear that Middleton will be able to play for the first time since his offseason knee surgery when they meet the Memphis Grizzlies at the Fiserv Forum in what will be their last exhibition game before the start of the regular season.
Middleton said at a press conference after practice on Thursday that he plans to play against Memphis on Friday.
“Yeah, as of right now, (I) definitely feel like I’ll be out there playing tomorrow,” Middleton said. “I don’t know how long, how many minutes, but I do expect to be playing, which is exciting for me.”
Finally. Since Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard made their respective team debuts, Middleton has been the Bucks’ lone weak link. It seems that on Friday, Bucks supporters will get their dream to watch their team’s freshly formed Big 3 for the first time. Unless Milwaukee chooses to rest Giannis, Lillard, or both of them that night.
Will Khris Middleton Be Fit for the Sixers Season-Opener?
Fans are more interested in learning whether Middleton will be ready for the team’s first regular-season game. On October 26, the Bucks will open their season against Joel Embiid and the rather dysfunctional Philadelphia 76ers.
Middleton did make a suggestion that he would miss Friday’s game against the Grizzlies, but the three-time All-Star insisted that even that would not hinder his availability against the Sixers:
“(I’ve) been making great strides, a step in the right direction each day,” he said. “So definitely don’t think if something happens (and) I don’t play tomorrow, I think I’ll still be on track to play the next game. Hopefully, just keep continuing that way.”
Khris expects to play tomorrow.@Froedtert & MCW Practice Report. pic.twitter.com/x0GP3CGT77
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 19, 2023
However, you should consider all of this with a grain of salt. After all, Middleton has had health issues for a number of months.
Fans undoubtedly hope that everything changes with the next season. They are all aware that for the Bucks to have a shot to win the NBA championship this year, Middleton must be back to his best.
