Khris Middleton was met with thunderous applause in Milwaukee during the NBA 2025 season opener on Wednesday night. The former Milwaukee Bucks star returned to Fiserv Forum as a Washington Wizards player after 12 memorable seasons, as the Bucks won 133-120.
The arena crowd stood and applauded Middleton several times throughout the night. They first erupted when his name echoed during pregame introductions, again during a moving tribute video in the first quarter, and finally when he exited after leading the Wizards with 23 points.
“To get that type of recognition, appreciation from the city, the organization, I mean that meant the world to me,” Middleton said.
“To get a standing ovation on the road doesn’t happen often, so I wanted to make sure that they knew I acknowledge them. Even though I really don’t speak too much or do too much, but that really meant a lot. That’s every player’s dream to get a standing ovation no matter where they’re at.”
Middleton was traded to Washington before the February deadline in a deal that sent Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee. Before the tip-off, team staffers greeted him warmly, and the mascot welcomed him with the band playing in the background.
A Different Matchup for Giannis and Middleton
Facing Middleton on the opposing team felt surreal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had shared more than a decade of battles and championships alongside him. The two even went head-to-head multiple times during the game, echoing their intense practice duels over the years.
“Even when we became All-Stars and champions, during the summertime, playing our one-on-one battles,” Middleton said. “We talk a lot. It’s all just competitive. We both want to win, we both want the best out of each other.”
In a key moment, Middleton drew a charge against Giannis in the second quarter, a move that made both laugh. “I saw his eyes light up when he saw me under the rim,” Middleton said. “So I knew either foul, take a charge to get out the way … I’ve got worse hits from that guy. That one was light.”
Giannis delivered a dominant performance with 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 27 minutes.
“Obviously he had a great game, he still can hoop,” said Antetokounmpo. “He’s still a big threat when he’s out there on the court. He always plays that right way. Makes a good decision, makes his teammates better defensively. He’s always going to be in the right position and sometimes going to put his body with the line, take a charge. He’s always playing smart.”
This was Middleton’s first appearance as a visitor in Milwaukee, though it was their third matchup since the trade. “I got him,” Antetokounmpo said. “Two-one, I’m up.”
Bucks Win but Kevin Porter Jr. Injured
The Bucks earned the opening night victory but suffered a setback when Kevin Porter Jr. went down in the first quarter. The guard sprained his left ankle after stepping on Bobby Portis’ foot. He had scored 10 points before leaving.
“It didn’t look good,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “I’ll just say that. Got to hope for the best, but looking at it, it was a pretty bad sprain.”
Porter is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday. The night, however, belonged to Khris Middleton — a beloved former Buck whose standing ovation reflected the bond between a star and a city.
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