The Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the new NBA season with a hopeful outlook, despite undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. While he hasn't yet been cleared for five-on-five action, the Bucks are optimistic that Middleton will be ready from the start of the season. This optimism is buoyed by head coach Doc Rivers' confirmation of Middleton's participation in training camp, albeit 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 explained. By limiting live action activities, the Bucks aim to ensure that Middleton remains on the path to full recovery while still contributing to team preparations.
Middleton's ankle issues have been a recurring theme over the past season, significantly impacting his game time. Last season, he played only 55 games due to these issues. A sprained left ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns in February sidelined him for nearly six weeks. After his return in late March, he managed to sustain another ankle injury—this time to his right ankle—during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Remarkably, Middleton did not miss any games following this injury, although the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
These persistent ankle problems necessitated offseason surgeries to address the sprains Middleton had endured throughout the season. Jon Horst, the Bucks' General Manager, provided an encouraging update: “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 injuries were not confined to his ankles over the past two seasons; he has also undergone surgeries on his wrist and knee. Last season, he began on a minutes limit and avoided playing in back-to-back games as a precautionary measure. This cautious approach seems likely to continue as the Bucks navigate his involvement in practices and games moving forward.
The Bucks' training camp is set to take place at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, with their first preseason game scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. As the team prepares for the new season, Middleton's experience and wisdom will be invaluable, both on and off the court. Reflecting on his journey and the challenges he's faced, Middleton shared, “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's insights underline the importance of experience and self-awareness in managing professional athlete injuries. As he continues to recover and prepare for the upcoming season, the Bucks will be hoping that his cautious yet optimistic approach will see him return to his best form, contributing significantly to the team's success.
With Middleton slated for a limited but active role in camp, the Bucks aim to strike a balance between ensuring his full recovery and integrating him smoothly into team activities. His presence on the floor, even in a restricted capacity, will be a positive boost for his teammates and the coaching staff.
As the October 6 preseason opener approaches, all eyes will be on Middleton’s progress. The Bucks are looking forward to having their forward back in action fully, contributing both his skills and veteran experience to the team's ambitions for the season. The road to recovery and readiness is ongoing, but Middleton's established resilience and determination signify a promising outlook for both him and the Bucks.