Milwaukee Bucks Forward Khris Middleton has really stepped up in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. His numbers back it up.
In the absences of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Middleton has been tasked to carry the offensive load for the Bucks. And sure enough, he’s doing everything he can for the team.
Khris Middleton’s Scoring Leap With the Milwaukee Bucks
Antetetokounmpo has yet to play in the 2024 postseason due to the calf injury he’s been dealing with since the end of the regular season. Meanwhile, Lillard has been recovering from the Achilles injury he sustained during Game 3 of the series.
With both superstars out, Middleton has been carrying the workload for the Bucks offensively. While he’s getting plenty of help from his teammates such as Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez, no one can deny the impact he’s having on Milwaukee.
In Game 5 where the Bucks demolished the Indiana Pacers 115-92, Middleton put up a game-high 29 points along with 12 rebounds and five assists. So far in the postseason, he’s now averaging 26.8 points per game.
To put that into perspective, Middleton only averaged 15.1 points during the regular season. Meaning his increase in the playoffs is at 15.7 points. As HoopsHype noted, that is the second-biggest increase in the postseason–trailing only Donovan Mitchell who was averaging 36.3 points now after putting up 24.0 points during the campaign.
Middleton is certainly stepping up at the right time, which is exactly what the Bucks needed. Had it not been for him, Milwaukee would have probably been eliminated already.
Milwaukee Bucks Need Khris Middleton To Maintain Scoring Streak
Sure enough, with both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard still uncertain to play in Game 6, the Milwaukee Bucks will once again rely on Khris Middleton to push them to victory.
The Pacers will be determined to put an end to the series because another loss would give the Bucks momentum heading to Game 7. Not to mention that Game 6 presents the best opportunity for Tyrese Haliburton and Co. as they’ll be playing at home.
Bucks fans will be hoping for the best once again come Game 6. Expectations are high that Middleton will be able to explode and force a do-or-die decider. And considering what the All-Star forward has done so far, the Milwaukee faithful can be assured that Middleton is going to put his best foot forward this Thursday.
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