NBA News: Khris Middleton Reportedly Benched by Bucks amid Continued Injury Recovery

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly transitioning veteran forward Khris Middleton into a bench role moving forward.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers informed Middleton of the move Sunday, citing a desire to have continuity in the starting lineup while Middleton continues to work his way back from offseason double ankle surgery:

Since Middleton remains on a minutes restriction, bringing him in off the bench and putting Taurean Prince back in the starting lineup will perhaps give Rivers more flexibility.

The 33-year-old Middleton did not make his season debut until Dec. 6, as he missed the Bucks' first 21 contests.

Since then, Middleton has appeared in 12 games, starting seven of them, averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 assists. 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 three-pointers made per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Middleton's scoring average is his lowest since his second NBA season in 2013-14, but that is largely because his 23.8 minutes played per game are his fewest since his rookie campaign.

Despite the limitations, Middleton has been fairly productive and efficient this season, shooting better than his career mark of 38.8 percent from three-point range.

Monday against the Toronto Raptors marked the first game Middleton missed since returning, as he was dealing with ankle tendonitis.

Prince was inserted back into the starting lineup for that game after coming off the bench in each of Milwaukee's previous seven contests, and he contributed eight points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds in a 24-point win.

It has been an up-and-down season for the Bucks, but they are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference at 18-16, which is no small feat considering they started 2-8.

Giannis Antetokounmpo playing at an MVP-caliber level is a big reason the Bucks have righted the ship, as is the play of Damian Lillard, who has improved in his second season with the organization.

Middleton is a three-time All-Star who played a key role in the Bucks winning a championship in 2021, but he clearly isn't quite himself yet as he continues to move past his ankle issues.

Bringing Middleton off the bench could make it much easier for Rivers to monitor his minutes since he won't have to worry about how it impacts the starting lineup.

Middleton also has what it takes to be an elite scorer off the bench, meaning he could be the type of catalyst the Bucks have been searching for in a sixth-man role.

Per Haynes, Middleton will be available to come off the bench Wednesday night when the Bucks host the San Antonio Spurs.