NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HAWKS VS. BUCKS

July 3, 2021

Khris Middleton

Milwaukee Bucks

Game 6: Postgame

Milwaukee Bucks 118, Atlanta Hawks 107

Q. Khris, that was quite a third quarter you had. You had a rough first half and come out just bonkers, 16 in a row, what are you feeling and thinking in a moment like that?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Let's just keep playing. Sometimes it’s going to go your way and sometimes it's not. But as long as I stay the course, that's all I can be in control of. I can't control the ball going in. Just stay with it and just play my game and don't worry about too much else.

Q. I can't remember which game it was of the series, but there was a day it was the anniversary of the Bucks drafting Giannis. We were talking to you about the journey both of you have had together. What are the thoughts going through your head now that you have made the Finals.?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Honestly, it's been a long journey but it's been a great journey. It’s been worth it. We put ourselves in position to be in the NBA Finals. After winning 15 games in our first year here and seven years not making the playoffs, to the last two years thinking we had a chance and just didn't do enough and now we're here. This is what we've work for. Extremely happy that we're still playing.

Q. You've talked a lot about not too high, not too low, not thinking ahead, all of those things. Is that a skill that you've had to work on as much as your footwork, your post game, to keep in that mental space?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: For sure. Another key thing I always hear, especially from my Dad is have a short memory, whether good or bad, stay the course. It's a long game, a long season, a lot of ups and downs. Stay the course and have a short memory.

Q. Way back in December you guys talked about different counter punches from what opponents give you; what have you seen from Bud and the coaching staff in the playoffs dealing with injuries, rotations and all the things to help get you guys to this point?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: He's doing whatever it takes but also trusting us out there. We have an idea about what we need to and he trusts us. That's all you want in a coach, especially the players that are out there, they see it a little different and feel it a little different. When we come up with suggestions, he listens to us and trusts us with it.

Q. Bud talked about how bittersweet it is to have Giannis on the sidelines, something you guys have been working for for so long. What was it like for you to have him watching in this moment?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Definitely wish he was out there with us. But he's still here with us. He's still a part of it, whether he's playing or not. Hope he's back out there soon but I think he still appreciates it all. I'm sure or I think he still wishes he was out there playing, but it means everything to him the same amount that we have a chance to play in the NBA Finals.

Q. What do you think about along this journey? What comes to you as you think of everything, you've really been through some stuff?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: It's all worth it for sure. Every kid wants and NBA championship. Every kid wants to play in the NBA Finals. The course is not going to be easy. You're going to fail a lot but stay with it, it makes it all worth it for sure.

Q. For you guys to lose the last two postseasons, what do you think that did to make you better this year?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Motivation. But I think that's for everybody that loses. I'm sure Atlanta who had a hell of a year, a hell of a postseason run, it's going to motivate them for the future to come, too, just like it has for us.

Q. To be as clutch in the postseason as you have, how did you build to that over the years to now be that guy that can have a 23-point third quarter?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Stay in the moment. Don't think about the situation. Don't think about what game it is. Just take it possession by possession. That's all I can do, stay in the moment.

Q. Working through the crowd, you give Giannis and Bud a hug. What is it to have Bud and Giannis by your side?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: I mean, it's cool. It's hard to put everything into words, the journey that we've been on, the ups and downs, the struggles and whatnot, but like I said to still be competing and to be the last two teams standing, it's a great feeling.

Q. Jrue said something about you just now that I thought was really interesting, in midst of complimenting you about all the things you did scoring, he said, "Khris doesn't care." How would you explain that part of it allowing you to put those kind of shots up under that kind of pressure in that kind of game?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: Just want to win. That's all it is. I don't care how many points I have. Stats go out the window. Even thought I had a great third quarter, I told Jrue I was struggling. I just want to win, you’ve got to get the ball and make something happen because right now I just don't have it. That's what it's about, everybody on this team, we don't care about who has the ball, who scores, who does this and that. We just do want it takes to win and that's all you want.

Q. When I tell you you had the third-most points in a quarter in a postseason game in 25 years, and the other two are Iverson and Damian Lillard, what does it mean to you?

KHRIS MIDDLETON: It's a cool stat. I guess I would say that it would only mean something if we win. Whatever it takes to win, that's it.