The Bucks sent veteran forward Khris Middleton to the Wizards for Kyle Kuzma in a four-team deal on Feb. 6. Middleton is expected to make his Wizards debut Friday against his old squad. "I'm here to be a basketball player.

Khris Middleton played the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time on Friday since a trade deadline deal sent him to the Washington Wizards for a package centered around Kyle Kuzma. The trade brought the end of the longtime partnership between Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who brought an NBA title to Milwaukee in 2021.

Giannis Antetokounmpo returned following a six-game absence and scored 23 points in 24 minutes as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 116-110 on Thursday.

Antetokounmpo was limited in his return from a six-game absence due to a calf injury, though he led the Bucks in points and rebounds in the victory. The superstar has recorded 14 consecutive contests with 20-plus points,