Khris Middleton went off in Game 3, and NBA Twitter gave him rave reviews.
After surrendering Game 1 at home against the visiting Atlanta Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks bounced back with a resounding win in Game 2 to even up the Eastern Conference Finals. With the series shifting to Atlanta for Game 3, the Bucks needed another big performance out of their stars to steal home-court advantage back.
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered just as he did in the first two games, but Khris Middleton — who struggled through the first two contests — joined him and helped Milwaukee put Game 3 away in biblical fashion in Atlanta.
Finishing his night with a career-high 38 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, Middleton came to life in the fourth quarter, dropping 20 points in the final 12 minutes. That late-game onslaught helped Milwaukee surge to a 11-point win despite trailing by 2 points heading into the fourth quarter.
NBA Twitter raved about Khris Middleton’s fourth quarter
As such, NBA Twitter heaped on plenty of praise for the Bucks’ second star. The highlights of that fourth quarter quickly made the rounds:
🔥 20 PTS in the 4th Q for @Khris22m
— NBA (@NBA) June 28, 2021
🔥 38 in game (ties playoff career high)
🔥 11 REB, 7 AST
Khris Middleton TAKES OVER in the @Bucks Game 3 win! Game 4 is Tuesday at 8:30 PM ET on TNT. #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/8TedimOk5F
Some of the stats from this Game 3 showing were simply incredible, as Middleton became the first and only Bucks player (since himself) to record 20 points in any playoff quarter over the last 25 years. He also became the only Bucks player in franchise history with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 made 3-pointers in a playoff game.
Khris Middleton is the first Bucks player with 20 points in a 4th quarter of a playoff game over the last 25 postseasons. The only other Bucks player with 20 points in any playoff quarter over the last 25 postseasons? Khris Middleton, done last year. pic.twitter.com/Fo0avas5kZ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2021
Khris Middleton tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 28, 2021
38 PTS
11 REB
7 AST
6 3PT
15-26 FG
This is the 2nd time ever a Bucks player had a 30/10/5/5-three playoff game. The first time was also Khris Middleton. pic.twitter.com/eba0TdL2ET
In terms of non-Bucks, Middleton still put himself in some pretty elite company Sunday night:
35+ pts, 10+ reb, 5+ ast, 5+ 3PM in a Conference Finals Game
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) June 28, 2021
- LeBron James (twice) vs. BOS
- Steph Curry vs. POR
- Khris Middleton vs. ATL pic.twitter.com/gDRVJvwuvN
Furthermore, people couldn’t help but notice that Middleton outscored the Atlanta Hawks in the decisive period all by himself, 20-17.
MIDDLETON OUTSCORED THE WHOLE HAWKS TEAM IN THE 4TH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/v2sO0kbINQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 28, 2021
The reactions of NBA Twitter fans were classic, as you’d expect.
Khris Middleton really just decided the game was over that's wild
— Dom2K 🌊🏖 (@Dom_2k) June 28, 2021
khris middleton said fuck your little cinderella run
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) June 28, 2021
Khris Middleton is the story. He's consistently delivered in every big moment for Milwaukee this postseason. Just a ridiculous 20-point fourth quarter and finishes with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) June 28, 2021
Much maligned (ridiculously) from Bucks fan, he's been incredible.
Khris Middleton after Trae Young hits the shimmy again pic.twitter.com/1TpCPBg2v4
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 28, 2021
When Khris Middleton decides, "Hey, I'm just gonna shoot because I'm great at that" he's really freaking good.
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) June 28, 2021
"FOH" - Khris Middleton https://t.co/XtwKYdoGlv
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) June 28, 2021
The Bucks went up 2-1 in the series thanks to Middleton’s epic close and Giannis’ 33 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Suffice it to say that between Middleton coming to life and Trae Young’s ankle injury, the Hawks could be in serious trouble.