As the Milwaukee Bucks gear up for the new NBA season, all eyes are on forward Khris Middleton, who is approaching the campaign with a renewed sense of optimism. The offseason was anything but a period of rest for Middleton, who underwent surgeries on both ankles, but the Bucks are hopeful he’ll be ready when the season tips off.
Despite the surgical procedures, Middleton has yet to be cleared for full five-on-five action. Nevertheless, head coach Doc Rivers is confident in Middleton's recovery and his eventual return to the court. "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 assured.
The Bucks training camp, set to take place at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, will see Middleton in a limited but active role. The goal is to ease him back into peak form without risking further injury. General Manager Jon Horst echoed this cautious optimism: "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."
Middleton’s struggles with injuries last season were well-documented. His ankle issues severely hampered his ability to contribute, reducing him to just 55 games. February was particularly tough, as a sprained left ankle sustained during a game against the Phoenix Suns sidelined him for nearly six weeks. His return in late March was short-lived; during the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Middleton sprained his right ankle in Game 2. Despite the injury, he pushed through the pain and did not miss any games, though the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
The offseason surgeries were a direct response to the recurring sprains Middleton battled throughout the season. Looking back, the Bucks had to manage his minutes carefully, particularly at the start of the season when he was under a strict minutes limit and was kept out of back-to-back games.
Reflecting on his recent injury history, Middleton shared valuable insights into his mindset and approach to managing his 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. 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 said candidly.
The Bucks are anticipating Middleton’s presence to be a significant boost to their roster. His return to health is pivotal not just for his contributions on the court but also for the team’s overall chemistry and performance. The first preseason game against the Detroit Pistons on October 6 will provide an early glimpse into how effectively Middleton can reintegrate and what tweaks might still be necessary.
As the season approaches, the Bucks and their fans remain cautiously optimistic, placing their faith in Middleton’s resilience and professionalism. If his offseason work and current participation in training camp are any indications, Middleton appears ready to overcome the setbacks and emerge stronger for the upcoming battles on the court.