Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is embracing a sense of optimism as he prepares for the upcoming NBA season. After undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, Middleton is gradually working his way back to full fitness, although he has yet to be cleared for five-on-five action.
Offseason Setbacks and Recovery
Middleton's offseason was dominated by surgeries to address lingering ankle issues that heavily impacted his previous season. With significant ankle problems limiting him to 55 games, Middleton's journey back to form began with procedures designed to correct these issues. The veteran forward sprained his left ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns on February 6, which sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Later, a right ankle sprain during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers compounded his troubles, although he didn't miss any games due to this injury.
Despite returning to action in late March, Middleton and the Bucks were eliminated by the Pacers in six games, marking a disappointing end to their playoff run. Reflecting on this sequence of injuries, Middleton shared insights into how these experiences have shaped his approach to managing physical health. "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," he said. "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."
Cautious Optimism for the Season
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and General Manager Jon Horst have both expressed positivity about Middleton's recovery and readiness for the new season. Rivers confirmed Middleton’s involvement in the Bucks' upcoming training camp, although 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 said.
Horst echoed this sentiment, adding that Middleton is already making significant 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," he stated.
Managing Expectations
Despite the encouraging reports from the Bucks' camp, the team is likely to approach Middleton's participation cautiously, ensuring that he avoids the pitfalls of previous seasons where injuries have played a disruptive role. Last season, Middleton started on a minutes limit and avoided playing back-to-back games. This approach might be revisited to ensure he remains healthy throughout the grueling NBA schedule.
As the Bucks gear up for their preseason opener on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, their training camp held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California will be crucial in assessing Middleton's readiness. Both the Bucks and Middleton are keenly aware of the need for a careful balance between pushing for full fitness and ensuring long-term health.
Middleton’s ability to stay injury-free will be a significant factor in the Bucks' aspirations this season. His scoring prowess and defensive capabilities make him an indispensable asset to the team's dynamics. As one of the veterans on the roster, his presence on the floor and in the locker room will be vital to guiding the younger players and setting a competitive tone for the season.
The upcoming weeks will provide a clearer picture of Middleton's role and utilization as he makes strides in his recovery. For now, both the player and the organization will continue to take measured steps to ensure that when the regular season tips off, Khris Middleton is in the best possible shape to contribute meaningfully to the Bucks' campaign.