Bucks still without Larry Sanders; personal reasons cited

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks are still without Larry Sanders, and with the team not saying much about why other than personal reasons, it has fueled speculation about what's really wrong.

The 6-foot-11 center has missed the last seven games and hasn't suited up since the Bucks' home game against Charlotte on Dec. 23.

Asked about Sanders before Tuesday night's game again the Phoenix Suns, coach Jason Kidd said nothing has changed.

''Same situation,'' he said. ''The last time I talked to you guys, it's personal. This organization is doing everything to help him.''

Coming into the game with the Suns, the Bucks are 4-2 without Sanders.

''It hasn't affected us,'' Kidd said of playing without Sanders.

But he wants him to return.

''We want Larry to get back as soon as possible. It makes us a better team.''

Sanders, who is in the first year of a four-year, $44 million contract extension, started 26 of 27 games and was averaging 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds.

''We're going to support him,'' Bucks guard Khris Middleton said. ''He's one of our teammates. He's our brother. We're always going to be there no matter what. He's a big part of our team.''

The Bucks expected Sanders to rebound from last year's problem-plagued season

He missed 25 games after ripping a ligament in his right thumb during a bar fight. Then surgery to repair an orbital contusion cost him another 27 games after he took an inadvertent elbow from Houston's James Harden. Sanders spent the final five games of the season suspended by the NBA for marijuana use.