Middleton (knee) picked up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season Monday, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
No surprise here, as Middleton was unlikely to fetch anything close to this amount on the open market. This news is also likely to be bad for Middleton's fantasy value, given the youth movement in Washington. In 14 appearances with the team, Middleton posted averages of 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per game. Middleton missed the end of the campaign with a right knee contusion, but it's not expected to linger very far into the offseason.
Head coach Brian Keefe said Friday that Middleton (knee) is unlikely to return this season, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.
Middleton was already ruled out for Friday's game against the Chicago while dealing with a right knee contusion, and it appears the veteran sharpshooter will not be available for Washington's regular-season finale against Miami on Sunday. If that's the case, Middleton's 2024-25 regular season will end with him averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 steals over 22.8 minutes per contest across 23 games with the Bucks and 14 with the Wizards.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Remains out for Friday
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Middleton will miss an eighth straight game Friday due to a bruised right knee. The last chance for the veteran sharpshooter to get back on the floor will be the regular-season finale against the Heat on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) will not play Wednesday against the 76ers.
Middleton will be sidelined for a seventh straight contest Wednesday. With two games left in the regular season, there's no guarantee that the veteran will appear in those. Colby Jones and Justin Champagnie will likely continue to see more playing time in Middleton's absence.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Not playing Tuesday
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Indiana.
Middleton will sit for a sixth straight game due to a right knee injury. His next chance to play is Wednesday against the 76ers, though there doesn't appear to be a clear timeline for his return. Colby Jones and Justin Champagnie will continue to see more playing time in Middleton's absence.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Won't play vs. Boston
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Celtics.
Middleton has a right knee contusion, which will keep him sidelined for Sunday's game in Boston. The Wizards will likely turn to Colby Jones and Justin Champagnie to help shoulder the extra load against the defending NBA champions.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Unavailable Thursday
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) will not play Thursday against the Magic.
The Wizards are now classifying Middleton's injury as a right knee contusion after previously labeling the injury as soreness. He'll be sidelined for a fourth straight game, and it's unclear if the non-contending Wizards will be inclined to rush him back into action over the final week of the season.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Listed out for Wednesday
Rotowire
Middleton is out for Wednesday's game against the Kings due to a right knee contusion.
Wednesday will mark a third straight absence for Middleton, who can be labeled day-to-day prior to his next chance to play Thursday against the Magic. With the Wizards managing a plethora of injuries, AJ Johnson and Justin Champagnie should remain in the starting lineup against Sacramento.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Won't suit up vs. Miami
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Heat.
Middleton will miss his second consecutive contest due to right knee soreness, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the club continues to exercise caution with the veteran forward. The 33-year-old's next chance to play will come Wednesday against the Kings. Jaylen Martin and Tristan Vukcevic are candidates for an uptick in playing time due to Middleton, Kyshawn George (ankle) and Anthony Gill (hip) being sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Ruled out for Saturday
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nets.
Middleton exited Thursday's loss to the Pacers due to right knee soreness after playing only 14 minutes. Head coach Brian Keefe said Thursday that the veteran forward is scheduled to get an MRI, per Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network. If all goes well with the MRI, Middleton's next chance to play will come Monday against the Heat.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Scheduled for MRI
Rotowire
Middleton (knee) is scheduled to get an MRI after leaving Thursday's game against the Pacers, head coach Brian Keefe told Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network.
Middleton finished with eight points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal across 14 minutes before exiting the game in what turned out to be a blowout loss for the Wizards. The result of the MRI will determine whether Middleton has to spend time on the sidelines or not, but the Wizards are likely to be cautious with the veteran wing since they're already eliminated from playoff contention.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Shut down with knee soreness
Rotowire
Middleton won't return to Thursday's game against the Pacers due to left knee soreness, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports. He collected eight points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal across 14 minutes before exiting.
The Wizards faced a large deficit at halftime, so Middleton was unlikely to see much playing time in the final two quarters, even if he hadn't picked up the knee injury. Justin Champagnie will be a candidate for a significant uptick in playing time with both Middleton and Anthony Gill (hip) ruled out for the rest of Thursday's matchup.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Available to play
Rotowire
Middleton (ankle) will play Thursday against the Pacers.
Middleton missed the first half of Washington's back-to-back set Wednesday, so he was always expected to return for this contest. In 13 appearances with the Wizards, Middleton has posted averages of 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 three-pointers.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Sitting out Wednesday
Rotowire
Middleton (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game against Philadelphia.
The Wizards will keep Middleton out of action for the first half of their back-to-back set Wednesday, but the veteran forward should rejoin the lineup Thursday against the Pacers. Justin Champagnie figures to be the most likely candidate to replace Middleton in the first unit against the 76ers, with the former averaging 11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks in 29.4 minutes over 20 games as a starter this season.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Khris Middleton: Muted effort in return
Rotowire
Middleton racked up nine points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), two rebounds, five assists and one steal across 22 minutes during Monday's 112-104 loss to Toronto.
Middleton slid straight back into the starting lineup, returning after missing the previous game as part of his injury-management plan. The veteran is an odd fit in Washington, making his long-term future questionable, to say the least. For now, it appears as though he will serve as an experienced leader any time he is on the floor. The Wizards have their eyes firmly set on the draft lottery, meaning Middleton will almost certainly continue to miss games moving forward.
0:19
2:41
3:44
3:45
0:29
0:47
0:49
0:39
1:35
3:24
4:59
5:47
0:35
2:27
