Jabari Parker has been medically cleared to return to game action on Friday, Feb. 2.

“Jabari has worked extremely hard with our medical, performance and coaching staffs to get to this point,” said General Manager Jon Horst. “He’s passed all the tests and been cleared to return by our team physician Dr. William Raasch of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. Just as important, Jabari feels ready to play and we’re excited for his return to game action on Friday.”

Parker suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee on Feb. 8, 2017, and underwent surgery to repair the injury on Feb. 14. In 51 games (50 starts) last season, Parker averaged 20.1 points (2nd on team), 6.2 rebounds (3rd on team), 2.8 assists (4th on team) and 1.0 steals in 33.9 minutes (2nd on team) per game. He scored in double figures 47 times, including 20-plus points in 28 games.

Joe Prunty will remain as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks for the remainder of the 17-18 season. Prunty leads the Bucks coaching staff that includes assistant coaches Greg Foster, Sean Sweeney, Stacey Augmon, Josh Broghamer and new assistant coach Vin Baker.

“We believe that Joe is the right person to lead our team and help us achieve our goals,” said General Manager Jon Horst. “He has the knowledge and experience, along with the respect of our players and staff, to get the job done. 

“Joe and his staff will be evaluated and considered as part of our widespread off-season search for our next head coach.” 

Prunty is in his fourth season with the Bucks after serving as an assistant coach under Jason Kidd in Brooklyn during the 2013-14 campaign. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo called Jason Kidd about 15 minutes before he was officially notified he'd been fired by the Milwaukee Bucks and offered to help save his job.

"He called me and said, 'Coach, this isn't right what they're about to do, but [they] are gonna let you go,'" Kidd told ESPN.

Kidd said he replied, "I had a feeling that was gonna take place."

To which Antetokounmpo responded, "'What can I do? I'll call the owners, I'll call my agent."

Kidd said he told him, "There's nothing you can do. All you can do is tell the truth. That's it."

Kidd said he thanked Antetokounmpo for his loyalty and that he was "thankful to be able to coach him and help him become the player he is today. And I know when our paths cross again, he'll be much better."

Kidd said he felt the firing was "handled wrong." 

The Milwaukee Bucks have fired Jason Kidd as head coach.

Joe Prunty will be elevated to interim head coach.

The Bucks are 23-22 despite another breakout season from Giannis Antetokounmpo and the acquisition of Eric Bledsoe. Milwaukee has lost four of their past five games.

After consulting with the Bucks performance staff, Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the next two games to manage soreness in his right knee. By not playing in Saturday's game at Philadelphia and Monday’s home game vs. Phoenix, Antetokounmpo will have eight days without playing in a game, using that time to receive treatment. 

Antetokounmpo has missed two games this season with right knee soreness. He plans to return to game action on Jan. 26 when the Bucks face the Brooklyn Nets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

In his fifth season, Antetokounmpo ranks first in the NBA in minutes played (37.4) and second in scoring at 28.2 points per game while averaging career-highs in rebounds per game (10.1) and field goal percentage (.546). 

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to sign Sean Kilpatrick for the remainder of the season and converting his two-way contract into a full NBA deal.

Milwaukee released center Joel Bolomboy to create roster space for Kilpatrick.

In five games for the Bucks, Kilpatrick has averaged nine minutes, 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds.

The Milwaukee Bucks have waived DeAndre Liggins.

Liggins played 31 games and averaged 15 minutes for the Bucks. In games that Liggins played 18 minutes or more, Milwaukee was 10-1.

Liggins could be claimed on waivers or sign a 10-day contract.

Liggins' waiver will drop the Bucks $5.1 million under the league's luxury tax threshold.

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to sign Xavier Munford to a two-way contract.

Munford had been playing for the Bucks' G-League affiliate, averaging 24.1 points per game with a PER of 22.7.

Munford played 14 games for the Grizzlies during the 15-16 season.