Former Bucks star Khris Middleton gets emotional tribute in Milwaukee return

As Khris Middleton walked through Fiserv Forum on Wednesday before the Wizards’ 133-120 season-opening defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks, he admitted it was strange being on the visitor’s side of a building that once felt like home. The 34-year-old veteran spent over a decade in Milwaukee, having joined the team in 2013 following a trade from the Detroit Pistons.

Khris Middleton with the Bucks

“I tried to get not too caught up in the moment, but the standing ovations are something that’s special, something I really didn’t anticipate too much,” Middleton commented during his post-game availability. “To get that type of love and appreciation from the fans, I think that’s cool. I think we all picture ourselves as kids waving to 20,000 people. I finally got that moment today.”

Middleton’s time in Milwaukee helped transform the Bucks from a middle-of-the-pack team into a true championship contender. Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, he guided the franchise to its first NBA title in 50 years, capturing the 2021 championship.

During his 11 seasons with the Bucks, Middleton became one of the most accomplished players in team history, earning three All-Star selections and ranking second in games played (735), third in points (12,586) and assists (2,990), seventh in rebounds (3,598), fifth in steals (870), and first in made three-pointers (1,382).

Middleton showed up against the Bucks

The pregame tribute before Wednesday’s matchup captured how deeply Middleton’s legacy remains connected to the Bucks’ identity. As “For the Love of Money” by The O’Jays, a song long linked to his scoring highlights, played throughout the arena, mascot Bango and the game entertainment crew welcomed him back, honoring a player whose influence still runs through the heart of the franchise.

Middleton put his full skill set on display, finishing with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting while collecting six rebounds and three assists. He even managed to draw a charge on Antetokounmpo late in the second quarter, which sparked a lighthearted reaction from both benches.

Despite his strong outing, the Wizards couldn’t overcome an early 40-23 deficit after the Bucks shot 60 percent in the opening frame. Washington played better after halftime, outscoring Milwaukee 67-61, but the early damage proved costly.

The Wizards (0-1) will try to regroup on Friday when they visit the Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 p.m. ET.