As the upcoming NBA season approaches, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is looking ahead with optimism, despite the hurdles he's faced in recent months. After undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, Middleton remains hopeful about his ability to perform when the season kicks off.
Middleton has yet to receive clearance for five-on-five action. Nevertheless, the Bucks are optimistic about his readiness for the start of the season. Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that while Middleton will participate in the team's training camp, his activities will be somewhat limited, particularly in live-action scenarios.
"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.
These comments come as a relief for Bucks fans who have been anxiously following Middleton's recovery. The forward experienced significant ankle issues last season, which limited him to just 55 games. A sprained left ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns on February 6 sidelined Middleton for nearly six weeks. He returned to play in late March only to suffer another setback when he sprained his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite this injury, Middleton managed to play through the pain, although the Bucks were ultimately eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
Basketball operations general manager Jon Horst also provided an encouraging update, noting Middleton’s engagement during the offseason rehabilitation process. "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 said.
Middleton has had his share of medical challenges, having previously undergone surgeries on his wrist and knee as well. The repeated procedures have tested the veteran forward’s resilience and have significantly shaped his outlook on managing his health. Last season, Middleton started on a minutes limit and avoided playing back-to-back games to manage his condition effectively.
The Bucks are gearing up for their training camp, which will be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California. The camp is designed to foster team cohesion and prepare players both mentally and physically for the demanding season ahead. While Middleton will be part of these preparations, his involvement in live-action drills will be carefully monitored to ensure he doesn’t rush his recovery.
For Middleton, these experiences have been a learning curve. "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 reflected.
As the Bucks prepare for their first preseason game against the Detroit Pistons on October 6, Middleton's status will be a point of keen interest. His performance and health will be pivotal for a team with championship aspirations. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how effectively Middleton can return to form and contribute to the Bucks' success this season.
In the world of professional sports, resilience and adaptation are critical, and few athletes embody these traits as clearly as Khris Middleton. His journey back from multiple surgeries and injuries will undoubtedly be a story to follow in the NBA discourse this year. As training camp kicks off, Middleton’s presence on the court, even in a limited capacity, serves as a testament to his dedication and the Bucks' high hopes for the season ahead.