![](https://basketball.realgm.com/images/nba/4.2/wiretap/photos/2006/Middleton_Khris_mil_170119.jpg)
Despite some optimism earlier in the week that Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton would return for Game 7, there’s now pessimism that will happen. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst says that things haven’t developed at Milwaukee hoped they might.
“Earlier this week, the folks I was talking to were giving me some optimism about Middleton playing this weekend, but that has not happened. That has not developed,” Windhorst said. “And now I would say there’s pessimism about Sunday, and frankly, I have been told that even if the Bucks advance to the conference finals, there’d be pessimism he’d be ready to start.”
Middleton has been out since midway through the Bucks first round series against the Chicago Bulls. He suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee. Middleton recently returned to practice, but has not appeared in Milwaukee’s second round series against the Boston Celtics through six games.