Doc Rivers looking at the long game in light of the ankle injury suffered by Khris Middleton

"I want to win every game right now, but I really want to be great at the end of the year."

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers isn’t expecting veteran wingman Khris Middleton anytime soon as he recovers from the bad ankle sprain he suffered last February 6 in a game against the Phoenix Suns.

In that match-up, Middleton attempted a jumper when Suns forward Kevin Durant encroached on his landing spot, causing the former to land on the latter’s foot and suffer the sprain. Although Middleton is no longer wearing a walking boot, it’s likely that the 12-year pro would remain on the sidelines until after the All-Star break.

Focus remains on the long game

Milwaukee is in a good place in the Eastern Conference, the third seed behind the Boston Celtics and the surging Cleveland Cavaliers. And while Rivers admitted wanting to win as many games as possible, he understands that the ultimate goal is to have his key players healthy and ready for a deep playoff run.

“With Khris, probably all of our guys but more the veteran guys, listen, I want to win every game right now, but I really want to be great at the end of the year. And bottom line i, for me, we have to be healthy,” Rivers shared.

Kevin Durant just ended Khris Middleton’s career 😳 pic.twitter.com/5LcbujxTfX

— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) February 7, 2024

Won’t push guys with injuries to play

A veteran of the NBA, both as a player and a coach, Rivers understands what it’s like to battle through injuries and the importance of being cautious with players’ health. That’s why he won’t push his players to play if they’re dealing with any type of injury, no matter how small it may seem.

“Sitting with our medical people, one of the first things I said. I’m not the coach that will push guys to play. I’m the coach, right now, that will sit guys and train and prepare because no matter what happens, if we win ‘em all and aren’t ready – or lose ‘em all and are ready – I’ll take that. That’s gotta be our mindset,” Rivers added.

“We want to win every game. I’m competitive as hell. I don’t like losing games. But, we want to be prepared.”

Khris Middleton was listed as out with his left ankle sprain, so I asked for a timeline.

Rivers: "I don't yet. I've yet to talk to Troy and all the guys about it. I think we'll know more tomorrow, but I don't know yet."

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 8, 2024

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