The Milwaukee Bucks may be undermanned in their upcoming contest against the Philadelphia 76ers after the team listed starting guard Malik Beasley as questionable to play because of back spasms. Meanwhile, veteran wingman Khris Middleton will remain sidelined for the 16th straight game as he ramps up for a return from an ankle sprain.
Hurting back
While nearly every Buck who suited up against the Kings did not play well, Beasley was particularly awful. He went 4-for-13 from the field and missed all but three of his 11 three-point attempts. Beasley’s misses were egregious, as there were several from the corner wherein he was wide-open but couldn’t convert.
Despite Beasley's struggles in the previous game, the Bucks will still feel his absence. The guard has been a valuable scoring option for the team this season, averaging 11.6 points per game and shooting a career-high 43 percent from beyond the arc.
When will Middleton return?
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Middleton remains without a clear date for a return after he sprained his ankle stepping on Kevin Durant’s foot in their game in early February. Although Bucks coach Doc Rivers keeps churning out optimistic comments about a possible return, the team still feels Middleton's absence, especially with the NBA Playoffs waiting on the horizon.
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