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Adrian Griffin talks about Khris Middleton's minutes restriction entering the season
Khris Middleton showed he has recovered from an offseason knee surgery, but the Milwaukee Bucks are taking precautionary measures and will place him under a minute restriction.
Middleton played one game in the preseason and is ready to go when the Bucks start their regular-season campaign against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
Khris’ minutes will be managed well
Coach Adrian Griffin is taking a careful approach with regard to the three-time All-Star’s playing time.
“We have to be smart. Going from 12 to 35 (minutes) is probably not a smart thing to do right now,” Griffin said, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
Middleton played in Miwalukee’s final preseason game, a 124-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, where he saw action for 12 minutes and collected five points, five assists, and one rebound.
Injury-plagued season
Middleton was hounded by knee issues last season that forced him to play just 33 games. The 6-foot-7 shooter averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in an injury-plagued 2022-23 NBA season.
The 11-year veteran gave the Bucks a huge lift in the postseason, where he averaged a team-best 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 0.6 steals.
Middleton underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure shortly after the Bucks’ shock first-round playoff loss in the previous season.
“Been making great strides, a step in the right direction each day, So definitely, don’t think, you know, if something happens, if I don’t play tomorrow, I’ll still be on track to play the next game. Hopefully, just keep continuing that way,” Middleton said a day before he played his first preseason game.
