The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Khris Middleton is ready to return to court after missing 16 games due to an ankle sprain. Middleton confirmed this while talking to reporters on Saturday.

According to Middleton, he expects to be in the lineup when the Bucks face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday and “can play”.

“Everybody’s going through something at this point. I mean, so I’m good enough to play. Ankle sprains, they linger for a little bit of time, but my ankle is good enough to play on right now without causing severe pain or anything like that. So, I’m good.” Middleton said via The Athletic.

Middleton actually sprained his ankle the last time the Bucks faced the Suns. He went down in the first quarter of a 114-106 loss to Phoenix on February 6th after landing on Kevin Durant’s foot during a jump shot.

In 43 games he played in 2023-24, Middleton averaged 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. The three-time All-Star was on minute restriction for most of those games as he was returning from a knee surgery he had during the offseason.

Getting Middleton back will be crucial for the Milwaukee Bucks as they look to hold onto second place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are currently sitting at a 43-24 record with half a game in front of the third-placed Cleveland Cavaliers.

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The Milwaukee Bucks announced on Tuesday that their first-year head coach Adrian Griffin was relieved of his duties. Griffin is out after leading the Bucks in only 43 regular-season games.

The Bucks fired championship-winning head coach Mike Budenholzer after the team flamed out in the first round of the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs. The franchise settled on Griffin as Budenholzer’s replacement, believing that the former Toronto Raptors assistant could bring fresh ideas and a different approach.

While Milwaukee finds itself second in the Eastern Conference with a 30-13 record, the Bucks brass reportedly wasn’t satisfied with the way the team looked on the court so far in the 2023-24 season. The main issue was the Bucks’ sluggish defense under Griffin and lack of ideas on how to use newly-acquired All-Star point guard Damian Lillard.

Before the Bucks find a new head coach, assistant Joe Prunty will take over on an interim basis.

“This was a difficult decision to make during the season,” said Bucks general manager Jon Horst in a statement. “We are working immediately toward hiring our next head coach. We thank Coach Griffin for his hard work and contributions to the team.”

According to multiple reports, the Bucks identified former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers as a replacement for Griffin. Rivers, who was fired by the 76ers at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, is currently serving as an NBA analyst with ESPN.

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The Milwaukee Bucks are in talks with Doc Rivers over his possible appointment as the team’s new head coach. This comes after the Bucks dismissed former head coach Adrian Griffin after just 43 games. According to sources, the team decided to fire Griffin due to the belief that their chances of winning a championship would be better with more experience.

Despite a 30-13 record during Griffith’s tenure, the Bucks slumped from fourth to 22nd in defensive efficiency. General manager Jon Horst maintained his belief that Griffith will develop into a top NBA head coach and that he simply felt that the young coach wouldn’t be able to deliver on the Bucks’ near-term championship ambition.

Currently an analyst for ESPN, Rivers has coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He led the Celtics to the NBA Championship title in 2008 and took the 76ers to three consecutive Eastern Conference semifinals.

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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out of his team’s 135-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers after he suffered a bruised right shoulder. The power forward was only added to the team’s official injury report two hours before tipoff.

Prior to being sidelined, Antetokounmpo has played in 29 consecutive games, his longest streak since the 2020-21 season when he played 31. Still, the superstar’s absence could be deeply felt against Cleveland, with the team lacking points on the night.

Antetokounmpo is enjoying a stellar season, averaging 31.2 points and 11.4 rebounds. Last month, the power forward set a franchise record by scoring 64 points to lift the Bucks to a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers. Despite the loss to the Cavs, the Bucks remain second in the Eastern Conference on 28-13.

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Damian Lillard delivered his most impressive performance as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. Lillard scored 40 points while adding three rebounds, four assists, and three steals to help his team to a dominant 119-132 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

It was the highest-scoring night for Lillard so far in the 2023-24 season, but it also saw him reaching an important milestone. The veteran improved to 20,034 career points in the NBA and became just the 51st player in league history with 20,000+ points.

Lillard is now also one of eight active players with at least 20,000 points and just the fourth player ever, alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and James Harden, to have at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, and 2,000 three-pointers.

“I don’t want to fake downplay it like it’s nothing,” Lillard said after the game. “I know it’s a big deal. It’s a great accomplishment. It’s a rare space to be in.”

Damian Lillard joined the Bucks in the offseason in a blockbuster trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. After some early growing pains, Lillard has been exceptional for Milwaukee, averaging 26.3 points, 4.5  rebounds, and 7.0 assists while helping the team to a 20-7 record.

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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a remarkable performance in a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night that saw him score 64 points. This was both Antetokounmpo’s career high and a new Bucks franchise record for most points scored in a single game.

Even more impressive was that Antetokounmpo scored his points without making a single three-pointer. He was 20-of-25 on two-point tries and made 24 out of his 32 free throw attempts. He rounded up his historic performance with 14 rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block.

“He’s an unstoppable player. You can’t guard him one-on-one. You’ve got some really good guys surrounding him, but at the end of the day, it’s all him,” said Bucks’ head coach Adrian Griffin after the game. “His talent. His ability. His will. He has an incredible will to win, and he’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Antetokounmpo’s big night was partly overshadowed by an incident that took place after the final whistle. The two-time NBA MVP wanted to have the game ball, but he discovered that the Pacers already took it. Indiana wanted to give it to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first NBA points that night.

Antetokounmpo was visibly upset, entering an animated discussion with the Pacers’ players and then heading to their locker room in an attempt to retrieve the ball. The 29-year-old player ended up getting the ball but is still unsure whether that was the ball he played with.

“I have no idea. I’m not going to lie,” said Antetokounmpo. “I really don’t know. I have a ball, but I don’t know if it’s the game ball. It doesn’t feel like the game ball to me. It feels like a brand-new ball. I can tell. I played, what, 35 minutes today. I know how the game ball felt. The ball that I have, which I’ll take and I’ll give it to my mom, for sure — but I don’t know if it’s actually the game ball.”

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The Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder is expected to be unavailable through injury for approximately two months, the team confirmed on Monday. The forward suffered a left adductor and abdominal tear during last Saturday’s 112-97 defeat to the Orlando Magic.

Initially, the team announced that Crowder had experienced a groin strain. He then jetted off to Philadelphia to be evaluated by Dr. Bill Meyers, who specializes in core injuries, who detected the true nature of Crowder’s injuries.

“Sports can be brutal at times,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said ahead of his team’s 118-109 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. “[Crowder] came into training camp in phenomenal shape — mind, body and spirit — and he’s a tremendous piece of what we’re trying to do moving forward.” Crowder is now scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday.

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Damian Lillard scored 39 points to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling 118-117 victory in their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. This was a crucial display from Lillard, who is keen to show his worth after arriving at the team following a blockbuster trade last month.

In order to prepare for life in Milwaukee, Lillard explained that he has been doing research that has shown how he is being relied upon to lift the team up late in games. “I’ve had enough conversations with guys, especially with Giannis [Antetokounmpo], that I came in knowing what was expected of me,” he explained after the win. “They’re encouraging me to be the person to take control, make decisions and decide what’s going to happen in those moments.”

Lillard proved vital to his team’s success, particularly with the team down 104-102 with four minutes left on the clock. He scored 14 points during those final four minutes.

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The Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has agreed to a $186 million, three-year extension with the team, his agent, Alex Saratsis, confirmed late on Monday. The deal comes with an option for the 2027-28 NBA season. This will see the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player remain with the Bucks through the contract of guard Damian Lillard while preventing him from entering free agency in 2025.

The Bucks’ general manager Jon Horst traveled to Chicago on Sunday to meet with Saratsis so that the pair could work on a deal that would maximize Antetokounmpo’s earnings throughout the next three years. Because of the Over 38 rule in the CBA, the player will be able to sign another short-term deal with the Bucks in 2026 and another four-year extension in 2028.

Having been drafted out of Greece in 2013 by the Bucks, Antetokounmpo is doubling down on his loyalty to the franchise. With the 2021 NBA Championship and two league MVPs under his belt, the Greek national is on his way to becoming one of the greatest NBA players of all time.

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Former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts won’t be part of the Milwaukee Bucks organization moving forward. Stotts joined the Bucks’ coaching staff in June to serve as an assistant under first-time head coach Adrian Griffin.

Griffin confirmed Stotts’ departure during a press conference on Thursday.

 “It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him,” Griffin told the reporters. “He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision – a personal decision – and we just have to respect that.”

Griffin didn’t want to go into details about why Stotts left the Bucks after only four months. However, according to Shams Charania and Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the likely reason was the “tenuous” relationship between the two.

In a story published shortly after news about Stotts’ departure was made official, The Athletic reported that Griffin and Stotts had a run-in during a practice. Griffin reportedly wanted to have a huddle with all the coaches, but Stotts wanted to discuss the offense with a group of players. This prompted Griffin to raise his voice, which sources believe contributed to Stotts’ decision to hand in his resignation.

Terry Stotts has deep ties with the Bucks’ organization. He served as an assistant with the franchise between 1998 and 2002 and was hired as Milwaukee’s head coach in 2005–06. He made the playoffs in his first season at the helm before being fired after 64 games in the 2006-07 season.

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The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Khris Middleton is ready to return to court after missing 16 games due to an ankle sprain. Middleton confirmed this while talking to reporters on Saturday.

According to Middleton, he expects to be in the lineup when the Bucks face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday and “can play”.

“Everybody’s going through something at this point. I mean, so I’m good enough to play. Ankle sprains, they linger for a little bit of time, but my ankle is good enough to play on right now without causing severe pain or anything like that. So, I’m good.” Middleton said via The Athletic.

Middleton actually sprained his ankle the last time the Bucks faced the Suns. He went down in the first quarter of a 114-106 loss to Phoenix on February 6th after landing on Kevin Durant’s foot during a jump shot.

In 43 games he played in 2023-24, Middleton averaged 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. The three-time All-Star was on minute restriction for most of those games as he was returning from a knee surgery he had during the offseason.

Getting Middleton back will be crucial for the Milwaukee Bucks as they look to hold onto second place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are currently sitting at a 43-24 record with half a game in front of the third-placed Cleveland Cavaliers.

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The Milwaukee Bucks announced on Tuesday that their first-year head coach Adrian Griffin was relieved of his duties. Griffin is out after leading the Bucks in only 43 regular-season games.

The Bucks fired championship-winning head coach Mike Budenholzer after the team flamed out in the first round of the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs. The franchise settled on Griffin as Budenholzer’s replacement, believing that the former Toronto Raptors assistant could bring fresh ideas and a different approach.

While Milwaukee finds itself second in the Eastern Conference with a 30-13 record, the Bucks brass reportedly wasn’t satisfied with the way the team looked on the court so far in the 2023-24 season. The main issue was the Bucks’ sluggish defense under Griffin and lack of ideas on how to use newly-acquired All-Star point guard Damian Lillard.

Before the Bucks find a new head coach, assistant Joe Prunty will take over on an interim basis.

“This was a difficult decision to make during the season,” said Bucks general manager Jon Horst in a statement. “We are working immediately toward hiring our next head coach. We thank Coach Griffin for his hard work and contributions to the team.”

According to multiple reports, the Bucks identified former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers as a replacement for Griffin. Rivers, who was fired by the 76ers at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, is currently serving as an NBA analyst with ESPN.

The post Bucks Fire Head Coach Adrian Griffin After 43 Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in talks with Doc Rivers over his possible appointment as the team’s new head coach. This comes after the Bucks dismissed former head coach Adrian Griffin after just 43 games. According to sources, the team decided to fire Griffin due to the belief that their chances of winning a championship would be better with more experience.

Despite a 30-13 record during Griffith’s tenure, the Bucks slumped from fourth to 22nd in defensive efficiency. General manager Jon Horst maintained his belief that Griffith will develop into a top NBA head coach and that he simply felt that the young coach wouldn’t be able to deliver on the Bucks’ near-term championship ambition.

Currently an analyst for ESPN, Rivers has coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He led the Celtics to the NBA Championship title in 2008 and took the 76ers to three consecutive Eastern Conference semifinals.

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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out of his team’s 135-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers after he suffered a bruised right shoulder. The power forward was only added to the team’s official injury report two hours before tipoff.

Prior to being sidelined, Antetokounmpo has played in 29 consecutive games, his longest streak since the 2020-21 season when he played 31. Still, the superstar’s absence could be deeply felt against Cleveland, with the team lacking points on the night.

Antetokounmpo is enjoying a stellar season, averaging 31.2 points and 11.4 rebounds. Last month, the power forward set a franchise record by scoring 64 points to lift the Bucks to a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers. Despite the loss to the Cavs, the Bucks remain second in the Eastern Conference on 28-13.

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Damian Lillard delivered his most impressive performance as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. Lillard scored 40 points while adding three rebounds, four assists, and three steals to help his team to a dominant 119-132 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

It was the highest-scoring night for Lillard so far in the 2023-24 season, but it also saw him reaching an important milestone. The veteran improved to 20,034 career points in the NBA and became just the 51st player in league history with 20,000+ points.

Lillard is now also one of eight active players with at least 20,000 points and just the fourth player ever, alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and James Harden, to have at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, and 2,000 three-pointers.

“I don’t want to fake downplay it like it’s nothing,” Lillard said after the game. “I know it’s a big deal. It’s a great accomplishment. It’s a rare space to be in.”

Damian Lillard joined the Bucks in the offseason in a blockbuster trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. After some early growing pains, Lillard has been exceptional for Milwaukee, averaging 26.3 points, 4.5  rebounds, and 7.0 assists while helping the team to a 20-7 record.

The post Bucks’ Damian Lillard Scores 40 in Win Over Spurs, Joins 20,000 Point Club appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a remarkable performance in a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night that saw him score 64 points. This was both Antetokounmpo’s career high and a new Bucks franchise record for most points scored in a single game.

Even more impressive was that Antetokounmpo scored his points without making a single three-pointer. He was 20-of-25 on two-point tries and made 24 out of his 32 free throw attempts. He rounded up his historic performance with 14 rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block.

“He’s an unstoppable player. You can’t guard him one-on-one. You’ve got some really good guys surrounding him, but at the end of the day, it’s all him,” said Bucks’ head coach Adrian Griffin after the game. “His talent. His ability. His will. He has an incredible will to win, and he’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Antetokounmpo’s big night was partly overshadowed by an incident that took place after the final whistle. The two-time NBA MVP wanted to have the game ball, but he discovered that the Pacers already took it. Indiana wanted to give it to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first NBA points that night.

Antetokounmpo was visibly upset, entering an animated discussion with the Pacers’ players and then heading to their locker room in an attempt to retrieve the ball. The 29-year-old player ended up getting the ball but is still unsure whether that was the ball he played with.

“I have no idea. I’m not going to lie,” said Antetokounmpo. “I really don’t know. I have a ball, but I don’t know if it’s the game ball. It doesn’t feel like the game ball to me. It feels like a brand-new ball. I can tell. I played, what, 35 minutes today. I know how the game ball felt. The ball that I have, which I’ll take and I’ll give it to my mom, for sure — but I don’t know if it’s actually the game ball.”

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Scores Career-High 64 Points, Sets Bucks’ Franchise Record appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder is expected to be unavailable through injury for approximately two months, the team confirmed on Monday. The forward suffered a left adductor and abdominal tear during last Saturday’s 112-97 defeat to the Orlando Magic.

Initially, the team announced that Crowder had experienced a groin strain. He then jetted off to Philadelphia to be evaluated by Dr. Bill Meyers, who specializes in core injuries, who detected the true nature of Crowder’s injuries.

“Sports can be brutal at times,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said ahead of his team’s 118-109 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. “[Crowder] came into training camp in phenomenal shape — mind, body and spirit — and he’s a tremendous piece of what we’re trying to do moving forward.” Crowder is now scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday.

The post Bucks Forward Jae Crowder Sidelined for Two Months appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Damian Lillard scored 39 points to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling 118-117 victory in their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. This was a crucial display from Lillard, who is keen to show his worth after arriving at the team following a blockbuster trade last month.

In order to prepare for life in Milwaukee, Lillard explained that he has been doing research that has shown how he is being relied upon to lift the team up late in games. “I’ve had enough conversations with guys, especially with Giannis [Antetokounmpo], that I came in knowing what was expected of me,” he explained after the win. “They’re encouraging me to be the person to take control, make decisions and decide what’s going to happen in those moments.”

Lillard proved vital to his team’s success, particularly with the team down 104-102 with four minutes left on the clock. He scored 14 points during those final four minutes.

The post Lillard Scores 39 Points to Hand Bucks Opening Game Win appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has agreed to a $186 million, three-year extension with the team, his agent, Alex Saratsis, confirmed late on Monday. The deal comes with an option for the 2027-28 NBA season. This will see the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player remain with the Bucks through the contract of guard Damian Lillard while preventing him from entering free agency in 2025.

The Bucks’ general manager Jon Horst traveled to Chicago on Sunday to meet with Saratsis so that the pair could work on a deal that would maximize Antetokounmpo’s earnings throughout the next three years. Because of the Over 38 rule in the CBA, the player will be able to sign another short-term deal with the Bucks in 2026 and another four-year extension in 2028.

Having been drafted out of Greece in 2013 by the Bucks, Antetokounmpo is doubling down on his loyalty to the franchise. With the 2021 NBA Championship and two league MVPs under his belt, the Greek national is on his way to becoming one of the greatest NBA players of all time.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Agrees to Three-Year Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts won’t be part of the Milwaukee Bucks organization moving forward. Stotts joined the Bucks’ coaching staff in June to serve as an assistant under first-time head coach Adrian Griffin.

Griffin confirmed Stotts’ departure during a press conference on Thursday.

 “It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him,” Griffin told the reporters. “He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision – a personal decision – and we just have to respect that.”

Griffin didn’t want to go into details about why Stotts left the Bucks after only four months. However, according to Shams Charania and Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the likely reason was the “tenuous” relationship between the two.

In a story published shortly after news about Stotts’ departure was made official, The Athletic reported that Griffin and Stotts had a run-in during a practice. Griffin reportedly wanted to have a huddle with all the coaches, but Stotts wanted to discuss the offense with a group of players. This prompted Griffin to raise his voice, which sources believe contributed to Stotts’ decision to hand in his resignation.

Terry Stotts has deep ties with the Bucks’ organization. He served as an assistant with the franchise between 1998 and 2002 and was hired as Milwaukee’s head coach in 2005–06. He made the playoffs in his first season at the helm before being fired after 64 games in the 2006-07 season.

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