Is Khris Middleton playing tonight vs Celtics? Latest injury update on Bucks forward (Dec. 6)

Khris Middleton will make his season debut when the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Boston Celtics on Friday. He was listed as probable to play on the Bucks’ injury report that was released Thursday.

The three-time All-Star missed the first 21 games of the season after undergoing offseason surgeries to both of his ankles. However, as per reports the forward will not start the game on Friday and will play on minute restriction.

Khris Middleton was trending toward a return in the past few weeks, and it is expected to finally take place against the defending champions. Before Wednesday’s 119-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, coach Doc Rivers spoke about Middleton’s inclination to return, via NBA:

“Anybody who wants to play, and Khris is one of those (guys), they’re frustrated. That’s mentally challenging. You see your team playing and although we’re playing well right now, I imagine when we were really struggling and he wasn’t playing that had to be really hard for him. You want to help your team, and he knows he can.”

The Bucks got off to a terrible start without Middleton that saw the team reeling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo has since taken over and propelled Milwaukee to the fifth spot with an 11-10 record.

The Bucks are 8-2 in their past 10 games. They were on a seven-game winning streak before losing Wednesday’s game to Atlanta.

How is Khris Middleton’s career record against Boston Celtics?

The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics are the two best teams in the East and have won two of the past four NBA titles. In 35 regular-season games against the Celtics, Khris Middleton averages 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He has a 19-16 winning record in those contests.

Injuries have prevented Middleton from playing Boston in the past two seasons, so he will be raring to go on Friday. His past two outings against the Celtics during the 2020-21 season were also his best. In both games, he scored 27 points each.

Where and how to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics?

The Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 6, at TD Garden. The matchup will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. It will also air locally on NBC Sports Boston and FanDuel Sports Network - Wisconsin. Fans can also stream it live on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.