Middleton benched late in Bucks' loss to Knicks: 'I let them down'

Khris Middleton spent the fourth quarter and overtime period of the Milwaukee Bucks' loss Saturday to the New York Knicks glued to the bench, and he took full responsibility afterward.

"Plain and simple just got benched today," Middleton said, according to the Journal Sentinel's Matt Velazquez. "Wasn't playing well. Thought I was hurting the team more than I helped, so (coach Mike Budenholzer) decided not to play me."

The Bucks' second-leading scorer admitted to a missed defensive assignment, but he also shot just 3-of-11 from the floor. Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon were able to pick up some offensive slack from Middleton's off night, but the Bucks lost for the third time in five games.

"I know (my teammates) got my back," Middleton added, according to Velazquez. "I want them to know I've got their back. I thought they fought, but I feel like I let them down by not being out there tonight."

The Bucks are 8-7 since Nov. 1 after beginning the season 7-0.