A key player is seriously injured and may not return

Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks reveals his injury status against the Miami Heat after missing the Hawks game.

Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks suited up for his team’s season opening against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. The three-time All-Star, however, was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks due to a right knee issue that the Bucks are still managing.

All eyes are now on Middleton ahead of their back-to-back set against the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Miami Heat, on Monday.

Milwaukee Bucks Star Khris Middleton Intends to Play Vs. Heat

Middleton’s absence from Sunday’s game is only precautionary, which is good news for Milwaukee fans. He hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery from offseason knee surgery.

In fact, Middleton said he plans to play against Jimmy Butler and company on Monday.

“I think they told me maybe after last game that I wasn’t going to play Sunday and play Monday instead,” he said after Saturday’s practice, via Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “That’s just their decision. Like I said, I’m just here doing my job, working as hard as I can be, being coachable. They’re going to let me know when I’m going to play, when I’m not going to play. I wish I could control some things, some things I can’t so I just have to worry about the things I can control.”

This is clearly wonderful news for the Bucks ahead of their rematch against the Heat, but it doesn’t speak well for Middleton’s future. It’s unclear how long Milwaukee will keep him out of their upcoming back-to-back games.

Adrian Gryphon Reiterates Middleton’s Proclamation

Middleton’s opinions were mirrored by head coach Adrian Gryphon. All of this, according to the youngster, is part of the veteran’s route to recovery:

“This is just being smart and ramping him up gradually,” he added. “But he participated in practise today and looked really good.”

Milwaukee’s next back-to-back set is against the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers on November 8 and 9, respectively. Middleton’s status for that set may be regarded uncertain at this time.