Khris

Middleton

Middleton has yet to appear in a game this season and does not have a timeline for his return. The Bucks forward did not practice on Wednesday, but according to coach Doc Rivers, he will play 3-on-3 ahead of Thursday’s game against the Jazz. Taurean Prince will remain the starter until Middleton is cleared to play.

While Middleton is progressing in his recovery, he still isn’t ready to play in games. Taurean Prince will remain in the starting lineup, making him worthy of streaming consideration in deep leagues.

While Middleton is feeling better after undergoing surgeries on both ankles this summer, he hasn’t reached the point where he can play in games. “I feel good, just not good enough to play that’s all,” Middleton told The Athletic. “That’s really all I can say at this point. And just working to get back on the court. I’m feeling better and better each day just not good enough to play yet.” Middleton remains without a timeline for return, although he continues to go through the ramp-up process. Taurean Prince will remain the starter until that changes, but he is only worth a look in deep leagues.

Prince will likely complete a starting lineup of Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez for this game. Giannis hasn’t officially been cleared, but he has been on the injury report as probable with this knee injury. Prince won’t provide much value outside of 3-pointers in 9-cat leagues, but he will be a long-term starter, which may make him worth a stream in deeper leagues.

Middleton’s 2024-25 outlook is already looking bleak. The two-way wing ended last season as his team’s lone star available due to widespread injury problems and his lingering health issues could now force him to miss a significant chunk of the upcoming season. Fantasy managers should steer clear of Middleton altogether at this point.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported in mid-July that Middleton underwent surgery on both of his ankles. While he is, according to Haynes, making progress in his recovery, the Bucks wing still has not been cleared for 5-on-5 activities. Injuries in recent years have diminished Middleton’s fantasy value, and Saturday’s update does not help matters. Taurean Prince, who appears on track to start regardless of Middleton’s status, and Gary Trent Jr. become players worth taking a late-round flier on, especially in deeper leagues.

Middleton averaged 15.1 points for a second consecutive season in 2023-24 after missing over half of the 2022-23 campaign. Fantasy managers can be hopeful for a more reliable run in 2024-25 but shouldn’t bank on a major comeback.

While Damian Lillard did return from an Achilles injury, the Bucks were still without Giannis Antetokounmpo. That meant they needed another virtuoso performance from Middleton to keep their season alive, and that didn’t happen. The veteran wing finished with a series-low 14 points as the Pacers sent Milwaukee fishing. As in 2022-23, the inability to remain healthy sapped most of Middleton’s fantasy value this season. Managers expected this, based on Khash Money’s Yahoo ADP of 82.3. While his regular season fantasy value wasn’t terrible, the availability issues proved costly. Middleton finished the year ranked outside the top 100 in 9-cat formats, albeit by a few spots. How much managers should trust him in the fall will depend on the Bucks’ roster, but Middleton’s days as a top 60 fantasy player may be in the rear-view mirror.

Both players were listed as probable, so their availablility isn’t a surprise. They both played well in Game 5 and will have to shine again in Game 6 in order to extend the series.

Middleton and Beverley were crucial to Milwaukee’s Game 5 upset. Middleton scored a game-high 29 points while Beveley chipped in with a game-high 12 assists. Both players will likely carry heavy workloads in Game 6, as Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are doubtful.