Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton faces the upcoming NBA season with a renewed sense of optimism and determination. This sentiment comes after enduring a challenging offseason that saw him undergo surgeries on both ankles. As the season nears, the Bucks are hopeful that Middleton, an essential piece of their roster, will be ready to make a significant impact.
Middleton's offseason was far from restful. Surgical procedures on both ankles have set a cautious tone; he's yet to be cleared for full-contact five-on-five drills. Despite this, the Bucks are optimistic about his progress and anticipate he will be fit to start the season. Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed Middleton’s limited participation in live-action activities during the team's training camp at UC-Irvine in California.
"He'll participate in camp," Rivers said. "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."
Middleton's ankle issues aren't new. Last season, he was plagued by significant ankle problems that limited him to just 55 games. A sprained left ankle sustained during a February 6 clash against the Phoenix Suns sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Although he returned to the court in late March, his struggles were far from over. In Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, he sprained his right ankle. He admirably did not miss any games due to this injury but his performance was clearly hampered, and the Bucks eventually fell to the Pacers in six games.
The recent surgeries were a direct response to these in-season injuries. This isn't the first time Middleton has had to undergo surgical procedures to stay in top form; over the past two seasons, he has also undergone surgeries on his wrist and knee. Last season, he started on a minutes restriction and avoided back-to-back games to manage his health.
Despite the challenges, there is an air of resilience and pragmatism in Middleton's approach to his recovery and the upcoming season. Speaking about his ability to handle pain and the importance of knowing one’s physical limits, Middleton shared insights gained through personal experience and advice from others who have weathered similar battles.
"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," Middleton explained. "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."
Bucks General Manager Jon Horst echoed the forward’s positive outlook. "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 noted.
The Bucks’ hopes are pinned on Middleton's return to full health, given his invaluable contributions to the team. As the 2023-24 NBA season unfolds, fans eagerly watch and wait for the three-time All-Star to return to form and once again play a pivotal role in Milwaukee’s quest for another championship.
The Bucks’ first preseason game is set for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. While Middleton’s participation might be limited, his presence on the court will undoubtedly boost the team’s morale and set the tone for the season ahead.
As camp progresses and the countdown to the new season begins, Middleton’s journey through recovery and resilience continues to be a focal point for the Bucks. His experience and veteran savvy will be vital as Milwaukee aims to navigate a tough Eastern Conference and vie for NBA supremacy once more.