Bucks forward Khris Middleton said he’ll return to action on Wednesday for a home game against Atlanta, the team’s PR department tweets.
This comes as a surprise, even though coach Mike Budenholzer indicated that Middleton might be ahead of his projected timetable to return from a left thigh contusion. Middleton was expected to miss 3-4 weeks after suffering the injury on November 10. He has gone through contact work in practice and played in 5-on-5 scrimmages in recent days.
The 28-year-old All-Star is averaging 18.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 2.9 APG after posting averages of 18.3/6.0/4.3 in the same categories last season.
The career 38.8% three-point shooter signed a five-year, $178MM contract in free agency this summer to remain Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s sidekick. The Bucks have continued to thrive despite the absence of their second-best player. They have won eight straight and have the best record on the Eastern Conference.
Lets goooooooo
Like I posted previously, 4 weeks is along time to be out for a bruised thigh so not surprised. Sounds like they need a new team doctor!
Funny, as I just read the coach was a bit surprised he will be back tomorrow. I wonder if the 3-4 weeks was just a precautionary timetable.
At any rate it’ll be good to have him back, and that we somehow managed to do ok without him, after jettisoning Brogdon in tbe off-season…
“New doctor”
Team’s PR typically do press releases disclosing return timelines. They like to overestimate so that fans don’t get their hopes up for early returns.
The doctor probably knew well in advance he’d be back already. PR is likely responsible for the 4-week estimate.