In an ideal world, Middleton would have returned from the injury and ramped up to his spot in the starting lineup with no restrictions.

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.