Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Image via: Aaron Gash/ AP Photo

Giannis Antetokounmpo has recently explained the reason behind Khris Middleton’s benching. The Milwaukee Bucks secured a 16-point win over the San Antonio Spurs, marking their second consecutive victory. The last two games of the Bucks saw Middleton come off the bench. The decision surrounding his benching has sparked questions among fans and analysts alike. Following their win over the Spurs, Antetokounmpo addressed the concern in a post-game interview.

Giannis Antetokounmpo addressed why Khris Middleton was benched

BREAKING: The Milwaukee Bucks are removing Khris Middleton from the starting lineup, per

@ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/I7X4z9uXIj

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 8, 2025

The Bucks star player Antetokounmpo Antetokounmpo explained that the team tends to hold the ball too much when all three ball-dominant players— Damian Lillard, Giannis, and Middleton— start together. He asserted the importance of who finishes the game, not just who starts.

Middleton’s bench role hasn’t affected his impact in the game as the team secured the win with their dominant gameplay. “Maybe not on purpose when we are all 3 in the starting lineup we hold the ball too much, it doesn’t matter who comes off the bench,” Antetokounmpo said of Middleton’s benching.

Giannis on Khris coming off the bench: “Maybe not on purpose when we are all 3 in the starting lineup we hold the ball too much, it doesn’t matter who comes off the bench.. what matters is who finishes the game, no matter if he starts or not he’s definitely going to finish the… pic.twitter.com/9vUOzxCXET

— 🦌💫 (@GiannisWorld) January 9, 2025

The 30-year-old forward added, “What matters is who finishes the game, no matter if he starts or not he’s definitely going to finish the game because he’s a player with very high IQ, can make shots and good plays, can defend.. just good to have him out there competing with us.”

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers also addressed the discussion surrounding Middleton. “It’s just not improving to the place he wants it, or we want it, so we just got to monitor,” he said. Middleton missed the first 21 games of the season following surgery but has since played 13 games since his return in December.

He was absent from the Bucks’ Monday matchup against the Toronto Raptors due to ankle tendinitis. “I think we’re thinking about this way too much, I’m just being honest,” Rivers said before the game against the Spurs. “The bottom line is he’s just not moving every night the way you like him to. One night, you see he’s moving great, one night he’s not. His minutes go up and down with the way we want to do this medically, and it’s just a tough go for him.”

Middleton’s teammate Damian Lillard believes that the 33-year-old forward adds value to the team which makes it even stronger. He is quite optimistic about his future games with the team. “I think it just makes us an even stronger team. It just gives you an opportunity where you don’t have to have me and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] on the court one or the other hard time,” Lillard said.

Middleton is currently averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 43.8 field goal percentage.