Bucks F Jabari Parker set to return from knee injury Friday

Bucks forward Jabari Parker is set to return to the court Friday against the New York Knicks. (Photo: Jabari Parker/Facebook)

MILWAUKEE — Bucks forward Jabari Parker is set to return to the court Friday against the New York Knicks, nearly a year after being sidelined with the second major left knee injury of his career.

Milwaukee said Monday night that Parker was medically cleared, making the announcement during the second quarter of its 107-95 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Parker tore his left ACL on Feb. 8, 2017, against Miami. At the time, he was averaging a career-high 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds as one of the franchise cornerstones.

Parker tore the same ACL in December 2014, ending his rookie season after 25 games. Milwaukee selected Parker with the second overall pick of the 2014 draft.

The return of Parker comes at an important time, about a week before the NBA trade deadline. The Bucks are also trying to reassert themselves as a contender in the East following the firing of coach Jason Kidd.