Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the upcoming NBA season with a blend of optimism and caution as he recovers from surgeries on both ankles. Despite the setbacks of last season's injuries, the 32-year-old veteran appears determined to make a comeback, albeit with measured steps.
Middleton underwent surgeries during the offseason to address issues arising from sprains he sustained last year. He sprained his left ankle on February 6 in a game against the Phoenix Suns, which sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Upon returning in late March, he played through the pain but went down again in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers with a sprained right ankle. Remarkably, Middleton did not miss any games following the right ankle injury, but the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
As he works his way back to full strength, Middleton has yet to be cleared for five-on-five action. Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers confirmed his participation in training camp but noted that Middleton would be restricted in live action activities. "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.
General Manager Jon Horst offered a reassuring update on Middleton's status. "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.
The recurring ankle problems limited Middleton to just 55 games last season, forcing the Bucks to implement a minutes limit and avoid having him play in back-to-back games. It's a pattern that's likely to be maintained early in this season as a precaution. In addition to his recent ankle surgeries, Middleton has had wrist and knee surgeries over the past two seasons, which have collectively hindered his availability.
The Bucks' training camp, scheduled to be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, will be the first major test of Middleton's recovery. The team’s first preseason game is set for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. The clock is ticking, but the Bucks are optimistic that Middleton will be ready for the start of the season.
Middleton himself acknowledges the challenges he faces but shows a mature understanding of his physical limits. "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 reflected.
The Milwaukee Bucks, coming off a season that ended in disappointment, are banking on Middleton’s return to form to bolster their lineup. His leadership and scoring ability have been pivotal to the team’s success in recent years. As the Bucks navigate the delicate balance of getting their star forward back to peak condition, all eyes will be on Middleton as he steps back on the court, determined to write a new chapter in his resilient career.