Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the impending NBA season with a renewed sense of optimism. After undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, the veteran player remains a vital component of the Bucks' strategy, despite not yet being cleared for full five-on-five action. The Bucks remain hopeful that Middleton will be ready for the start of the season.
Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that while Middleton will be present during training camp, his participation 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,” said Rivers.
Middleton's struggles with his ankles were a significant storyline last season. The forward was restricted to playing only 55 games due to recurring issues. Notably, Middleton sprained his left ankle on February 6 during a game against the Phoenix Suns, sidelining him for nearly six weeks. He returned to action in late March, but the injury woes persisted. In Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, he sprained his right ankle. Despite this setback, Middleton managed to avoid missing any games. However, the Bucks' playoff journey ended in six games at the hands of the Pacers.
Reflecting on his journey and the wear and tear on his body, Middleton remarked, "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."
The offseason surgeries Middleton underwent were directly related to the sprains he suffered during the season. This is not the first time the forward has had to go under the knife. In the past two seasons, he has also had surgeries on his wrist and knee. Middleton even started last season on a minutes limit and avoided playing back-to-back games, a strategy designed to preserve his health.
Despite the challenges, the Bucks' front office remains optimistic about Middleton's recovery. General Manager Jon Horst emphasized that these procedures were routine. "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."
The Bucks are slated to hold their training camp at UC-Irvine’s campus in California. This setting will provide the team a controlled environment to start building chemistry and working on team dynamics. Middleton's presence, even in a limited capacity, will be crucial for setting the tone for the upcoming season. The Bucks' first preseason game is scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons.
As the Bucks look to make another deep playoff run, Middleton's health and performance will be key. His experience, skill, and leadership on the court are irreplaceable. With a cautious but hopeful approach, the Bucks are banking on Middleton's return to form, ready to tackle whatever the new season brings.