Bucks' Middleton misses NBA Cup final vs. Thunder

Milwaukee Bucks wing Khris Middleton wasn't in the lineup for the NBA Cup final against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to illness.

"He did a walkthrough today, came down (for it), and we sent him back up," head coach Doc Rivers told The Athletic's Eric Nehm. "Just didn't feel good. And we didn't want to take the chance of him being around the guys. We come out of this, we have a back-to-back game. It just wasn't worth the chance."

Middleton missed practice Monday and has appeared in just four games this campaign. He missed the Bucks' first 21 contests while recovering from offseason surgeries on both ankles.

The 33-year-old has come off the bench in all of his appearances and has been playing 21.3 minutes per night. He's averaging seven points, three rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 2024-25.

Middleton's health has been an issue throughout his career: He's played in just 76 regular-season games over the last two campaigns.

The Bucks had won 12 of their last 15 contests heading into Tuesday and sit 14-11 on the season. They're currently fifth in the Eastern Conference.