Bucks easing Khris Middleton in, to sit forward vs. Hawks

MILWAUKEE – Khris Middleton will not play Sunday against the Hawks as the Bucks monitor his workload during the three-time All-Star’s return from offseason knee surgery.

Middleton played 16 minutes Thursday in the Bucks’ 118-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said the team opted to rest him Sunday, the first of back-to-back nights in which Milwaukee plays.

Griffin said Middleton should be available for Monday’s game against the Miami Heat.

“It’s just about being smart and gradually progressing it,” Griffin said Saturday after practice. “He took part in training today and he looked really good.”

Middleton only appeared in one preseason game. He started and had 6 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds against the 76ers, although he played only four minutes in the second half and none in the fourth quarter.

He played in 33 games last season, missing the first 20 games while recovering from wrist surgery and 18 straight games later because of right knee soreness. He underwent knee surgery after the season.