Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the upcoming NBA season with an optimistic outlook, despite undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. While he hasn't been cleared for five-on-five action yet, the Bucks are hopeful Middleton will be ready for the start of the season.
Middleton's offseason surgeries were necessary following a series of unfortunate ankle injuries last season. He 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, only to suffer a right ankle sprain in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite this, Middleton did not miss any playoff games before the Bucks were eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed Middleton's participation in the upcoming training camp, although his involvement will be limited to non-contact 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.
The Bucks' training camp will take place at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, beginning preparations for their first preseason game against the Detroit Pistons on October 6. General Manager Jon Horst also commented on Middleton's progress, reassuring fans of his readiness to contribute. "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 2022-2023 season was challenging for Middleton, as he was limited to just 55 games due to persistent ankle issues. These troubles followed an earlier wrist surgery, part of a series of operations the star forward has undergone over the past two seasons. Middleton started last season on a minutes limit, avoiding back-to-back games to manage his physical condition.
Reflecting on his injuries and recovery process, Middleton shared his insights on managing his body and pain. "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 remarked.
As the Bucks prepare for the new season, Middleton's health will be a pivotal factor in their pursuit of success. His scoring ability and veteran leadership are crucial components of the team's strategy. The collaborative effort between the coaching staff and medical team will be essential to ensure Middleton’s readiness, balance his workload, and prevent any setbacks.
While it remains to be seen how quickly Middleton can return to full strength, the Bucks' cautious approach during the training camp indicates a strong emphasis on long-term health over immediate return. The expectation is that with careful management and rehabilitation, Middleton will once again be a significant contributor, helping the team navigate the challenges of the NBA season.
The Bucks' preseason game against the Detroit Pistons will provide an initial glimpse of the team's offseason efforts and Middleton's progress. Milwaukee’s fanbase eagerly awaits seeing their star forward back in action, hopeful that this season will mark a return to form for him and the entire squad.