Bucks F Khris Middleton (illness) out for NBA Cup final vs. Thunder

Field Level Media|published: Tue 17th December, 19:47 2024

NBA: Emirates NBA Cup-Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks

Dec 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) passes against Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) during the fourth quarter in a semifinal of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will miss Tuesday night's NBA Cup final against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to illness.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers delivered the news to reporters about 90 minutes before tip-off in Las Vegas.

"He just didn't feel good and we didn't want to take a chance with him being around the guys," Rivers said. "Just wasn't worth the chance."

Middleton had been downgraded from probable to doubtful less than one hour earlier. He missed Monday's practice.

Middleton returned to action earlier this month after undergoing offseason surgeries on both ankles. He is averaging 7.0 points, 5.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in four games off the bench while shooting just 25.9 percent from the field.

The three-time All-Star has career averages of 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 743 games (650 starts). The 33-year-old is in his 12th season with the Bucks after spending his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons before being traded to Milwaukee.

--Field Level Media