Optimism Surrounds Khris Middleton's Return Despite Offseason Surgeries
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is approaching the upcoming NBA season with a renewed sense of optimism, despite undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. His path back to full health has been closely monitored, and while Middleton has yet to receive clearance for five-on-five action, the Bucks remain hopeful he will be ready for the season opener.
Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that Middleton will participate in the team's training camp, although his role will be somewhat limited. “He’ll participate in camp. We won’t have him doing a lot of live action, coming off the surgery and all that. But all our skeleton work, all our transition work, our transition defense, our conditioning work, he’ll be on the floor with us,” Rivers explained.
The surgeries were necessary after Middleton experienced significant ankle issues last season, which restricted him to just 55 games. The forward sprained his left ankle on February 6 during a game against the Phoenix Suns, sidelining him for nearly six weeks. He returned to play in late March, only to sprain his right ankle during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Remarkably, Middleton did not miss any games following his right ankle injury, but the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
Reflecting on the situation, Bucks general manager Jon Horst provided some insight into Middleton’s recovery. “Khris is doing really well. It’s just a normal offseason clean-up procedure. He literally is on the court right now as we’re talking. He’ll be a very active participant in camp, so Khris is also healthy,” Horst noted, emphasizing a positive outlook for Middleton’s return.
The offseason surgeries were directly related to the sprains Middleton suffered during the season. These procedures add to the series of operations he has undergone over the past two seasons, which included surgeries on his wrist and knee. Last season, Middleton started on a minutes limit and avoided playing back-to-back games to manage his physical condition carefully.
The Bucks' training camp will be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, providing the team with an opportunity to integrate new strategies and work on conditioning as they prepare for their first preseason game on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons.
Middleton's experience with injuries has undoubtedly shaped his approach to playing and maintaining his health. “Knowing my limits, knowing what pain is, knowing what you can play through and when it’s not smart playing through. I’ve learned that a lot over the last couple years,” Middleton said. “And that’s not saying I played when I wasn’t supposed to be playing or I played when I shouldn’t be playing. It’s just experience, going through the years and talking to other people that’s been through similar situations. I’m always going to be learning something about myself and my body as I get older.”
With the new season on the horizon, the Bucks are eager to see Middleton back on the court and contributing at his usual high level. His return will be closely watched as fans and analysts alike anticipate how his recovery will impact the team's performance.
As the Bucks prepare for what promises to be a challenging season, Middleton's journey back to full strength will be a critical narrative. His resilience and determination could very well inspire his teammates and provide a morale boost for a franchise with championship aspirations. Given his skill set and veteran experience, a healthy Middleton could make all the difference for the Bucks as they navigate the highs and lows of the upcoming NBA season.