Out since Feb. 6 with a left ankle sprain, Milwaukee Bucks swingman Khris Middleton continues to fall victim to myriad injuries. Once the near paragon of durability, Middleton played in at least 65 games in all but two seasons from 2013-14 to 2021-22. However, the wheels began to fall off for the 32-year-old in 2022-23 and he’s played just 76 regular season games over the past two seasons.
In an interview with Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina, Bucks longtime center Brook Lopez discusses what’s been yet another extended absence from his brother-in-arms. Middleton has missed their last 16 games.
“No one can replace Khris,” Lopez says.
Brook Lopez Reveals Bucks’ Mindset Amid Khris Middleton Injury
The loss of Middleton is indeed a notable one for the Bucks. Not just because of the chemistry he’s developed with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo after having been traded to Milwaukee a month after the Greek Freak was drafted.
Middleton has long been the Bucks’ most formidable outside threat, knocking down 38.9 percent of his 3s since joining Milwaukee. He’s far and away the franchise’s all-time leader in made 3s with 1,326. That’s 275 more than Hall of Fame sharpshooter Ray Allen had during his six-plus seasons with the franchise.
Nonetheless, because of his skillset, experience, and basketball IQ, Lopez believes that Middleton will be able to hit the ground running. Literally and figuratively.
“He’s an incredible player, an All-Star and an All-NBA player.”
“The great thing about [Middleton] is that he’s so good and has such a good feel for the game and has a high IQ,” Lopez says of his teammate.
“He’ll slide right in,” he continues, speaking on Middleton’s ability to integrate himself with the group. “He knows his spot to a ‘T.’”
Stepping Up
In the meantime, Milwaukee is getting strong shooting performances from several players in his absence. Eight different Bucks players are shooting at least 36 percent from 3 over their last 15 games. Antetokounmpo leads the team, shooting 45.5 percent from deep in that stretch.
However, of those to take at least 4.5 attempts per game as Middleton has this season, Malik Beasley leads the group. Beasley has shot it well all season in what’s been a bounce-back year for him individually. He’s been even better as of late, making 41.6 percent of 3s (8.1 attempts per game) over his last 15 games.
For his part, Lopez has shot 37.3 percent from 3 over his last 15 games, taking 5.5 attempts per game. After an uncharacteristically poor start, Damian Lillard appears to be hitting his stride from deep. The marksman has made 36.6 percent of his shots from 3 on 8.7 attempts per game.
Despite that, Lopez says that the Bucks “can’t replace Khris.”
”It’s just a matter of coming up and doing their job a bit more.”
