Bucks' Strategic Shift as Khris Middleton Moves to Bench
The Milwaukee Bucks have recently decided to shift Khris Middleton to the bench. This decision comes amid Middleton's ongoing struggle with injuries, notably ankle tendinitis that sidelined him during the Bucks' previous win against the Toronto Raptors. The announcement was confirmed by head coach Doc Rivers before their face-off with the San Antonio Spurs.
Middleton's road to recovery has been long and arduous, marked by double ankle surgery in the offseason and a history of injuries dating back to the 2022 playoffs. These injuries have included surgeries on his left wrist, right knee, and both ankles. This latest move to the bench is a health-based precaution, as Rivers explained, noting that "he's just not moving every night the way you like him to." He added, "One night, you see he's moving great, one night he's not."
Adjusting the Lineup
In Middleton's absence, Taurean Prince stepped up to fill the gap against the Raptors and will maintain his position in the starting lineup moving forward. As the Bucks aim to manage Middleton's minutes carefully, this change reflects their strategic focus on ensuring long-term health rather than risking further injury.
Despite being medically cleared before his season debut on December 6 against the Boston Celtics, Middleton's performance has been inconsistent. He's oscillated between starting and coming off the bench. When he rejoined the starting five in a victory over the Washington Wizards, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. However, since his return, the Bucks have posted a 3-4 record with him in the first unit, revealing some struggles in maintaining cohesion on the court. The primary starting lineup has faced challenges, with a minus-10.6 net rating over 31 minutes during this period.
Assessing Middleton's Impact and Outlook
The familiar trio of Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Damian Lillard also failed to replicate last season's chemistry, registering a minus-5.6 net rating across 96 minutes since Middleton's return. This stands in stark contrast to their plus-17.5 net rating from the previous season.
For Middleton, the ability to consistently take the court is crucial. He expressed to The Athletic his personal metric for a successful year, stating, "having a successful season out there is playing damn near 82 games... Anything below 70, 75 games, no, I do not consider that a successful season for me." As the Bucks move forward, balancing Middleton's health with the team's performance remains a dynamic challenge.
Despite the ups and downs, there's optimism that Middleton will eventually find his rhythm and health. By carefully managing his minutes and role, the Bucks hope to unlock the full potential of their roster while safeguarding one of their pivotal players. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this strategic pivot impacts the Bucks' pursuit of another championship run.