In a season already filled with ups and downs, the Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of a bit of a transformation with the return of Khris Middleton. With the steady swingman finally back into the lineup, all eyes will be on how this impacts not only individual performances but also team dynamics.
After the Bucks' comeback win against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, head coach Doc Rivers all but confirmed the impact of Middleton’s return on the team’s rotation.
"Our bench is just going to keep getting better now, you know, with Khris eventually starting at some point. You know, you'll have Gary and TP and AJ Green. We're finally gonna say, you know, 'We have a bench.' And I'm looking forward to that," Rivers told reporters in his post-game press conference.
So it's official: Andre Jackson Jr. is here to stay as the starting shooting guard, while Khris Middleton is eventually going to slot back in as the starting small forward. That makes for an incredibly formidable starting five for sure, but it also means that names like Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and AJ Green will be coming off the bench to back them up.
Milwaukee's reshaped rotation should be a sign of greater things to come
As the Bucks gear up for a critical stretch that could define their playoff positioning, their newfound depth should be scary news for the rest of the league. Taurean Prince is a stout defender and knockdown shooter, while Gary Trent Jr. has found his stride as a three-level scorer who can take the load off Milwaukee's ball-handlers. AJ Green, too, has been the revelation of the season with his fearless 3-point bombing.
Middleton's absence has been felt throughout the early part of the season. Following offseason surgeries on both ankles, he missed the first 21 games, leaving a noticeable void in the Bucks' lineup. But his recent debut against the Boston Celtics marked a turning point: despite limited minutes and a modest stat line—11 points on 2-for-10 shooting—his presence alone seemed to orient the Bucks offense against a disorienting Celtics' defense.
While Jackson's offensive struggles saw him subbing out of the game early, Rivers essentially confirmed that the starting two-guard spot was still his to lose for the foreseeable future.
"I thought was the key to the game in a lot of ways. I mean everybody , but I thought Dre's defensive energy, I think he had three or four steals, got his hands on the ball. I thought his impact on the game was tremendous. If there was a game ball, which we don't do in basketball a lot, he would have gotten it," Rivers also said of Jackson, who started for the Bucks on Sunday.
The expectation is clear: Khris Middleton will reclaim his starting spot, pushing Prince to a bench role and solidifying a deeper roster that now includes promising two-way sharpshooters like Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green.
Milwaukee's added bench depth helps their chances against their rivals
This shift is crucial as the Bucks navigate through a pivotal stretch against Eastern Conference rivals—first facing an injured Orlando Magic team followed by a showdown with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Bucks currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, just two games away from breaking into the fourth seed. The upcoming matchups are not just about wins; they are about establishing momentum as they approach the halfway mark of the season. Middleton’s ability to score, create plays and defend will be vital against teams like Cleveland, who has proven to be a formidable opponent.
After a rocky start that saw them languishing at 2-8, Milwaukee has surged back into contention over their last few games. They've only looked better since Middleton's return, which proves that he might be the catalyst needed to propel this team back into true contender status.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard having finally found their rhythm as a dominant duo, Middleton’s versatility could unlock new strategies for Rivers. The Milwaukee Bucks are not just looking to secure playoff positioning; they are aiming for a deep postseason run.
If Khris Middleton can stay healthy and regain his form quickly, fans can finally expect Milwaukee to become one of the most dangerous teams in the league once again.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis going forward.