According to Chris Haynes, Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks have made the decision to bench Khris Middleton.

This choice comes after his reported return to the lineup after dealing with tendinitis in the ankle.

Despite him being moved to the bench, Milwaukee is designating the 33-year-old to a “reserve role.”

Taurean Prince will continue to get the start for the foreseeable future.

In 12 games, Middleton is averaging 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Paolo Banchero is making his much-anticipated return from his torn oblique injury.

Thursday’s game is against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Friday’s is against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Orlando Magic have been without their young cornerstone player for 33 games.

Banchero has not played since October 30th. The 22-year-old averaged 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in his five games.

The Magic are fourth in the Eastern Conference. Orlando is 22-16.

Fans were surprised when Mike Budenholzer and the Phoenix Suns benched Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic ahead of Monday’s win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Not only were the fans shocked, but so was Beal himself. It caught him off guard, but he said he wouldn’t protest or become distracted. The 31-year-old is going to let things play out for now.

However, Beal said he was a starter and that nobody could take that away from him.

“I’m a starter in the league,” Beal said. “I firmly believe that. I don’t believe that — no disrespect to anyone, but I’m a starter. That’s what I firmly believe. But Coach made his decision. I’m not gonna sit here and argue with it. I’m not gonna sit here and be a distraction. I’m not gonna sit here and be an a–hole. He made his decision. I live with it. He’s the coach, know what I’m saying? I just gotta go out and play my game, and whatever happens from there, happens from there.”

Head coach Budenholzer said the roster changes were made because Phoenix had to change something to snap their four-game losing streak.

Rookie Ryan Dunn replaced the veteran in the starting rotation.

Despite being benched, Beal had a phenomenal game. He put up 25 points off 10/15 shooting, three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. Not only that, but he did not turn the ball over once.

He led Phoenix in scoring and plus/minus.

Beal has played 24 games this season and averages 18.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.