Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is heading into the new NBA season with a mix of optimism and caution following surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. Despite not yet being cleared for full five-on-five action, the Bucks are hopeful that Middleton will be ready when the season tips off.
Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed Middleton's involvement in training camp but noted that his participation in live drills will be 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 said.
Middleton's path to recovery has not been easy. The veteran forward dealt with significant ankle issues last season, limiting him to just 55 games. He first sprained his left ankle on February 6 during a matchup against the Phoenix Suns, which sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Middleton managed to return in late March, but fate struck again when he sprained his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Remarkably, he did not miss any subsequent games due to the right ankle injury, but the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
Medical Odyssey
The offseason surgeries Middleton underwent were directly related to the sprains he experienced during the campaign. This isn't the first time he has faced medical challenges; in the past two seasons, he has undergone surgeries on his wrist, knee, and now both ankles. Last season, Middleton had to start on a minutes restriction and avoided playing back-to-back games to manage his health better.
Bucks General Manager Jon Horst expressed confidence in Middleton's recovery, affirming his importance to the team's success. "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 stated.
Learning and Adapting
As he recovers, Middleton reflected on the lessons he's learned about managing his body. "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. 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," Middleton shared.
Upcoming Season
The Bucks are set to hold their training camp at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, providing Middleton with an opportunity to continue his rehabilitation while getting integrated with his teammates. The team will be cautious with his workload during camp, focusing on conditioning and non-contact activities to ensure he is physically prepared for the season’s demands.
Milwaukee's preseason schedule kicks off on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, and Middleton’s progress will be closely monitored by the coaching staff and medical team alike. The hope is that by the time the regular season begins, Middleton will be fully operational and ready to contribute to the Bucks’ quest for another championship.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Middleton’s recovery and how effectively he can return to form. With the support of his coaches, medical staff, and teammates, the Bucks are optimistic about the year ahead, banking on Middleton’s resilience and experience to help steer the team toward success.