Bucks All-Star Downgraded vs Pacers with Lingering Injury

Will this critical Milwaukee scorer suit up?

Nov 24, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with forward Khris Middleton (22) and guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Will three-time All-Star Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton suit up on Tuesday afternoon in an early New Year's Eve matchup with another Eastern Conference hopeful, the Indiana Pacers?

Per the NBA's most recent injury report, the 6-foot-7 former Texas A&M swingman has seen his status downgraded to probable, as Milwaukee continues to manage his recovery from an offseason bilateral ankle injury. The 33-year-old was recently reinserted into Milwaukee's starting lineup after logging his first five games under a minutes restriction. Across nine healthy bouts, Middleton is averaging 13.7 points on encouraging shooting splits of .458/.486/.810, plus 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals a night.

Eight-time All-NBA Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, has been upgraded to merely questionable to play through what's listed as a non-COVID-19 illness. The two-time league MVP hasn't been available since December 20. Antetokounmpo, 30, is making a case for a third MVP with his play this year. So his absence could potentially swing the game in the Pacers' favor. Through 24 healthy games, the 6-foot-11 big man is averaging 32.7 points on 61.3 percent shooting from the floor and 61.4 percent shooting from the foul line on 11.3 attempts, along with 11.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 0.7 steals a night.

Rookie combo guard AJ Johnson, rookie power forward Tyler Smith and second-year combo forward Chris Livingston are on assignment with Milwaukee's G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. Key reserve swingman AJ Green, who has leapfrogged past an aging Pat Connaughton in head coach Doc Rivers' rotations this season, has been listed as probable to play through a right calf contusion.

On the Pacers side of the equation, starting small forward Aaron Nesmith remains on the shelf due to a sprained left ankle. He has only played six games this season, and his loss has been felt deeply on both sides of the ball. Recently re-signed reserve power forward Obi Toppin is considered questionable to play through a sprained left ankle of his own. Backup big men James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson are done for the year with right Achilles tendon tears. All three of Indiana's two-way players — rookie power forward Enrique Freeman, shooting guard Quenton Jackson and rookie combo guard Tristen Newton — are considered doubtful to suit up against the Bucks.

Both clubs occupy similar spots in the Eastern Conference standings. The 16-14 Bucks are the East's No. 6 seed, 1.5 games better than the No. 8-seeded Pacers (16-17). This game thus has even more significant ramifications, as it could ultimately affect where these comparable squads end up at year's end.

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