Is Khris Middleton playing against Pacers? Latest on Bucks forward's status (Dec. 31)

The Milwaukee Bucks will travel to Indiana to take on the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday with three-time All-Star Khris Middleton set to suit up and take the court for the visiting team. Middleton missed the first 21 games of the season due to multiple anke injuries, but returned to the lineup in December and is listed as probable for Tuesday's game.

The return of Khris Middleton has been a major boost for a Bucks team that struggled early in the 2024-25 campaign. He had not played since last season due to issues with both ankles. After undergoing surgeries on his ankles during the offseason, the 33-year-old made his first appearance of the season against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 6.

Middleton has featured in nine games since returning and coach Doc Rivers has started to trust the veteran forward more in the last two weeks. Middleton started the last four games for Milwaukee and has played at least 23 minutes in all of those outings.

Over the last three games, Khris Middleton has put up big numbers. He finished with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 23. Against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, he recorded similar stats, finishing once again with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Middleton started the game against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, racking up 21 points, six rebounds and four assists over 27 minutes. However, there was an injury scare for him when Lonzo Ball landed on his ankle after a jump shot. Per Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Middleton attached little importance to the incident.

"It’s fine. Just a little tweak. But other than that, I’m thankful that’s all it was," said Middleton. "It’s part of basketball. I mean, I don’t think it was intentional at all. It’s happened to me many times before in my career. It’s a part of basketball."

This season, Middleton is averaging 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.0 steals in nine games.

Khris Middleton was instrumental in guiding the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA championship in 2021

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton battles for the ball against Washington Wizards forward Bilal Coulibaly at Fiserv Forum. Photo Credit: Imagn

Since his move to the Bucks in 2013, Khris Middleton has become a staple in the Bucks lineup. The versatile forward has been a regular starter over the last decade, starting an incredible 654 games for the organization.

Middleton was a member of the Bucks' famous 2021 team and was instrumental in guiding the franchise to the NBA championship that season. Led by star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Hocliday and Middleton, the Bucks won 46 games during the regular season.

They defeated the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs, before overcoming the Phoenix Suns in the NBA finals.

Middleton produced some big numbers over the finals, with his most notable performance coming in Game 4. He finished with an incredible 40 points, six rebounds and four assists to carry his team to a victory and level the series at 2-2.