Bucks’ Khris Middleton’s optimistic return dampened by Jabari Parker’s ACL injury

The Milwaukee Bucks entered Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat with a ton of optimism. After all, Khris Middleton, Milwaukee’s leading scorer from last season, was playing for the first time since April 13.

Middleton suffered a serious injury in September, literally tearing the muscle off the bone in his left hamstring. Due to the severity of the injury, Middleton needed surgery and was expected to miss up to six months. This was an unfortunate and huge blow for the Bucks as Middleton was Milwaukee’s best player for most of the season until Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second-half explosion.

Last season, Middleton averaged a career-best and team-high 18.2 points while shooting 44.4 percent and 39.6 percent from on 3-pointers. Middleton also averaged 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 36.1 minutes per game. One of the better 3-and-D wings in the league, Middleton made 143 3-pointers and averaged 4.6 3s a game, which helped the Bucks spread the floor and allows Antetokounmpo to attack. The Bucks currently ranks 26th in three-pointers made and 28th in attempts, so Middleton’s three-point shooting is sorely needed in Milwaukee.

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His defensive is especially key for the Bucks as Middleton guards an opponent’s top perimeter scorer and his 1.7 steals led Milwaukee last season. This is crucial for Milwaukee since the Bucks currently rank 21st in defensive efficiency, giving up 106.5 points per 100 possessions. Milwaukee has length for days so they are top-10 in both blocks and steals but their overall weak defense is one reason why their record is 22-29. The Bucks have the intangibles to be a good defensive team though and they were one of the top defenses in the league two seasons ago, which Middleton contributed to.

With such a key player out of the lineup for such a long period of time, the Bucks acquired Michael Beasley and Tony Snell to help fill in for the absence of Middleton. And while both players have played quite well in Milwaukee, neither is Middleton, which is why his earlier-than-expected return against the Heat was viewed as a huge and much needed boost for the playoff-seeking Bucks.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd was of course just kidding around but there is definitely some pressure on Middleton to help Milwaukee move up the standings in the East and secure a playoff spot. The Bucks are currently 11th in the East and are just two games behind the eighth seeded Pistons. The Bucks though aren’t trending the right way though as they have gone 2-8 in their last ten games.

Also going against the Bucks is that Middleton likely won’t make an immediate impact. He will surely help but it will take him a few games to get his NBA legs back under him, especially since Middleton is playing on a minutes limit of 20 to 25 a game. His rustiness was on full display in Milwaukee’s 106-88 loss to the Heat as Middleton played just under 15 minutes, missed his lone 3-point attempt and finished with five points, two rebounds, two assists and a block.

This was just one game though and based on his track record and work ethic, Middleton is bound to regain the level of play he displayed over the last couple of seasons. However any optimism Middleton brought with him was quickly dashed when Jabari Parker suffered a non-contact knee injury on a drive to the basket against the Heat.

Parker had to be carried off the court by teammates and what’s worrisome for Milwaukee, is the knee Parker injured, is the same one he hurt in his rookie season. That was an ACL injury and Parker needed surgery, which ended his rookie season far too early and delayed the start of his sophomore year.

The Bucks initially called Parker’s injury a knee sprain but after an MRI on Thursday, the team announced that he had indeed tore his ACL again and will need surgery. 

Parker was in the midst of a stellar season and was showing significant growth in just his third year in the NBA. But now, this will be his second ACL injury and surgery on the same knee. For the second time in three years, Parker’s career and the promise the Bucks have, is stilted by another major knee injury. Also based on his rehab time table, Parker will miss the majority of next season, which is quite significant for the Bucks. Parker is a key part of Milwaukee’s offense and is the only other 20-point scorer on the team besides for Antetokounmpo.

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Parker’s injury is a perfect example of cruel the basketball gods can be. Milwaukee was enthused by the return of Middleton as with him, the All-Star growth of Antetokounmpo and Parker’s developing offensive game, the Bucks have the potential to be one of the better teams in the East. But Middleton and Antetokounmpo likely won’t be enough for Milwaukee to move up from the 11th spot in the East. Making this once again, yet another season when the talent of Milwaukee is unable to make it to the postseason.