Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the upcoming NBA season with a renewed sense of optimism. Following surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, the seasoned forward is poised to make a significant impact, provided he fully recovers in time.
Middleton has faced a challenging period, with significant ankle issues affecting his last season, limiting his participation to just 55 games. A critical incident occurred on February 6 during a game against the Phoenix Suns, where he sprained his left ankle, causing him to miss nearly six weeks. Although he returned to play in late March, another setback came in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, where he sprained his right ankle.
Despite re-injuring the right ankle, Middleton demonstrated remarkable resilience by not missing any subsequent games. The Bucks, however, were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in a hard-fought six-game series. This offseason, Middleton's surgeries were directly related to the sprains he suffered during the season, marking the latest in a series of surgical procedures he has endured over the past two years, including operations on his wrist, knee, and ankles.
Anticipation for the New Season
The Bucks are cautiously optimistic about Middleton's return. Although he hasn't been cleared for five-on-five action yet, the team anticipates that he will be ready for the start of the season. Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed Middleton's participation in training camp, albeit with some limitations.
"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 stated.
Post-Surgery Progress
Adding to the positive outlook, Bucks General Manager Jon Horst provided reassuring remarks about Middleton's progress. "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 said.
This positive update offers some relief to Bucks fans, who are eager to see Middleton back to his best. His experience and ability to manage his health are pivotal as he prepares for another intense season.
Learning from Experience
Middleton himself reflected on his journey through injuries and recovery, highlighting the valuable lessons he has learned. "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," he shared.
Looking Ahead
The Bucks will hold their training camp at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, which will provide Middleton with a structured environment to continue his rehabilitation and integrate back into the team. While his participation in live-action activities will be limited, this approach aims to ensure he reaches full fitness without unnecessary risk.
The Bucks' first preseason game is scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. This timeline offers Middleton a crucial window to further his recovery and assess his readiness. Bucks fans and the broader basketball community will be keenly watching his progress, hoping that this season sees him return to peak performance.
As Middleton prepares for the new season, his resilience and commitment to maintaining his health will be critical. Both the Bucks and their fans harbor high hopes that with careful management and continued recovery, Middleton will play a crucial role in the team's quest for success this season.