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NBA insider Shams Charania believes the Milwaukee Bucks big three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton staying healthy puts the league on notice. The trio played their first game together since December 11th on Monday (January 23rd) against the Detroit Pistons.
The Bucks scripted a 150-130 blowout win over the lowly Pistons. Here's what Charania said about the importance of the Bucks' big three playing together (via Fan Duel TV):
"They need Khris Middleton to stay on the floor. They can't afford any more extended absences because then the league will be fine with the Milwaukee Bucks. But as long as these three guys stay on the floor together... Everyone is always going to be scared of the Bucks."
Middleton has been the most injury-plagued of all three stars. He sustained an MCL sprain during Game 2 of the 2022 playoffs and missed the Bucks' last 10 postseason games. His absence was costly as the Bucks lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the second round.
Khris Middleton's absence stretched into this season. He underwent wrist surgery this past offseason and had to wait until December 2nd to make his season debut.
Middleton only played seven games since his season debut. He suffered another knee injury on December 17th that kept him on the sidelines for the next 18 games. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo also missed the last five games due to a knee soreness problem before returning to the lineup with Middleton against the Pistons on Monday.
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are arguably the best trio in the NBA
The Milwaukee Bucks have one of the best cores in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday struck brilliant chemistry ever since their first game together in 2020. Holiday was the perfect fit alongside the Bucks' All-Star duo.
His ball-handling, defense and playmaking lifted the pressure off Antetokounmpo and Middleton to carry the team nightly. The former often struggled to stay in shape in the playoffs, while the latter couldn't make much of an impact in his co-star's absence.
The Bucks won their first championship in 50 years in Holiday's first season with the team. Barring Antetokounmpo's two-game absence in the Conference Finals, the trio stayed healthy during the playoffs, and the Bucks reaped the benefits of that.
Shams Charania isn't far away from his assessment of the importance of the Bucks trio staying healthy. Milwaukee did well enough to stay afloat in Middleton's absence, registering the third-best record in the East (30-17) so far.
With him on the floor alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday, one can only imagine how difficult it will be to beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the regular season and the playoffs. The Bucks have one of the most complete and deep rosters, which already makes them a threat in the East.
Guess the Lakers players!
