Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the upcoming NBA season with a palpable sense of optimism. After a challenging offseason marked by surgeries on both ankles, Middleton finds himself inching closer to full participation, although his journey to recovery is still underway.
Throughout the offseason, Middleton underwent surgical procedures to address the significant ankle issues that plagued him last season. These issues were a major reason why Middleton was limited to just 55 games. Notably, he sprained his left ankle on February 6 during a matchup against the Phoenix Suns, which led to nearly six weeks on the sidelines. Middleton made his return to the court in late March, only to sprain his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite the injury, he did not miss any playoff games, though the Bucks were ultimately eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
The Bucks' head coach, Doc Rivers, has expressed confidence in Middleton's progress, confirming his participation in training camp, albeit with some restrictions. "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. This strategic approach aims to ease Middleton back into the pace of professional basketball while ensuring that he remains fit for the start of the season.
Adding to this, Bucks' General Manager Jon Horst also shared encouraging news about Middleton’s recovery. "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 shared. This update comes as a sigh of relief for Bucks fans who are eagerly awaiting the return of their star forward.
Middleton himself has embraced a pragmatic approach to his physical condition. Reflecting on his journey through injuries and recovery, he noted, "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 Bucks' training camp, set to be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, will provide Middleton with the platform to gradually test his limits. While he will be limited in live-action activities during camp, it is evident that the team and coaching staff are taking a cautious yet hopeful approach to ensure his long-term health and performance. This cautious optimism is critical not only for Middleton's health but also for the Bucks' aspirations for the season.
Middleton’s resilience through his off-season surgeries, including prior surgeries on his wrist, knee, and ankles in recent seasons, speaks volumes about his dedication and commitment to the sport. As he navigates the path to full recovery, the Bucks are optimistic that he will be ready for their first preseason game on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, and more importantly, for the start of the regular season.
As the Bucks aim to strengthen their roster and make a deep playoff run, Middleton’s health and performance will be pivotal. His experience and leadership on and off the court are invaluable assets to the team. With the right balance of recovery and play, Middleton looks to return stronger, ready to take on the challenges of the new season and drive the Bucks towards success.