The Milwaukee Bucks are optimistic about having Khris Middleton back in the lineup sooner rather than later.

Two-time NBA All-Star forward Khris Middleton was seen warming up but didn't play against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said the team is “hopeful” that Middleton will be back in action when Milwaukee takes on the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

“I think when you consider everything, I think (we feel) very fortunate,”  Budenholzer said of Middleton. “This should be very minimal and short. We'll see how he feels tomorrow and then going into the game on Friday, I think we'll be hopeful.”

It can be recalled that Middleton suffered a hyperextended knee late in the third quarter of the Bucks' 117-103 loss to the Boston Celtics earlier this week.

Initial reports stated that the 30-year-old did not incur any serious injury and might not be out for a long period of time. And according to Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jru Holiday, Middleton himself also affirmed that.

“I didn't see the play,” Antetokounmpo said via ESPN. “I just saw him [Middleton] limping off the court. … I saw him in the locker room after the game, and asked him if he was OK, and he said he was OK.”

“He's positive [about it],” Holiday added. “But he never really shows a sign of weakness. He's always going to be a positive person.”

Prior to being hurt, Middleton was averaging 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists.