MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton’s first game at Fiserv Forum as an opponent ended in a 133-120 Washington Wizards defeat on Wednesday night, but the 12-year Bucks veteran left to the sound of applause.
The sold-out crowd delivered three extended standing ovations: during pregame introductions, while a minute-long tribute video played in the first quarter, and when Middleton exited after scoring a team-high 23 points. “To get that type of recognition and appreciation from the city and the organization meant the world to me,” the forward said. “That’s every player’s dream.”
Return after February trade
Milwaukee dealt Middleton to Washington at the February trade deadline in a package that sent Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks. Before tipoff, the Bucks’ mascot, pep band and numerous staffers greeted the three-time All-Star as he walked into the arena.
On-court reunion with Giannis
Playing against longtime teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo felt “weird,” Middleton admitted. The pair, who won the 2021 NBA championship together, guarded each other several times, including a second-quarter play in which Middleton stepped under the basket to draw a charge. Antetokounmpo finished with 37 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in 27 minutes, later calling Middleton “still a big threat.”
The matchup was their third since the trade; Antetokounmpo noted he now leads the head-to-head series 2-1.
Injury hits Bucks backcourt
Milwaukee lost starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. to a sprained left ankle late in the first quarter after he landed on teammate Bobby Portis’ foot. Porter, who had 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday. “It didn’t look good,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “Looking at it, it was a pretty bad sprain.”
Middleton’s Wizards will continue their road trip Friday in Chicago, while the Bucks host the Cavaliers the same night.
Source: ESPN
