Giannis Antetokounmpo clarified Khris Middleton's benching, citing that the team holds the ball too much when all three ball-dominant players—Lillard, Antetokounmpo, and Middleton—start together. He emphasized that finishing the game is more important than starting.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been waiting to see all-stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard at full force under head coach Doc Rivers, as the trio have been limited to just seven games together this season due to injury and illness afflicting all three.