By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After helping the Milwaukee Bucks capture their first NBA championship since 1971 and winning the Olympic gold medal with the USA during the summer, Khris Middleton marks the early stage of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season becoming the player with the most connected three-pointers in team history.
Middleton, 30, passed Ray Allen with the first of three triples in the home win against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday. “I told Giannis, ‘just let me have one record and I am happy about it’,” he said during the postgame press conference.
Allen, 46, had set the record at 1,051 three-pointers made between 1996 and 2003 over 494 appearances in the Regular Season as a member of the Bucks. The new franchise leader passed the mark in his 566th appearance. “To have one of my goals here achieved is extremely cool,” added Middleton.
The former Texas A&M standout arrived in Milwaukee via trade shortly after Giannis Antetokounmpo was picked up with the 15th overall pick of the 2013 draft. After being limited to 17.6 minutes per game coming off the bench through this rookie season at the Detroit Pistons, he evolved into an All-Star playing alongside the Greek Freak.
After nearly squandering a 20-point lead over the Thunder, Middleton sinking his third three-pointer of the night created a five-point advantage with 2:56 remaining. The visitors were unable to get back into shooting distance down the stretch.
The defending NBA champions improved to 8-8. They are currently tied with the Boston Celtics in ninth place on the Eastern Conference table.
Three more fixtures are left in the five-game homestand. A couple of matchups with the Orlando Magic Saturday and Monday, and the Detroit Pistons visiting the Fiserv Forum Wednesday.
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