Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is poised to enter the upcoming NBA season with a sense of optimism, despite undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. This cautious optimism comes as Middleton navigates his recovery process, aiming to be ready for the season's tip-off.
Ankle Surgeries and Recovery
Middleton experienced significant ankle issues last season, which limited him to just 55 games. A pivotal moment came on February 6 when he sprained his left ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns, sidelining him for nearly six weeks. Despite returning to play in late March, Middleton's troubles continued as he sprained his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Remarkably, he did not miss any games from this injury, but the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
The offseason surgeries were directly related to the sprains Middleton endured during the season. These are not the first medical procedures he has undergone recently, having had surgeries on his wrist, knee, and now both ankles over the past two seasons. Last season, Middleton began on a minutes restriction and avoided playing back-to-back games due to these lingering issues.
Preparation for the New Season
Head coach Doc Rivers and the Bucks management remain hopeful that Middleton will be ready for the start of the season. Rivers confirmed Middleton's participation in the Bucks' training camp, albeit with some limitations. "He'll participate in camp," Rivers stated. "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."
General Manager Jon Horst echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Middleton's progress. "Khris is doing really well," Horst said. "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 himself remains positive but pragmatic about his condition. He has accumulated valuable insights from his experiences over the past couple of years dealing with various injuries. "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."
Limited Action in Training Camp
The Bucks' training camp, set to be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, will see Middleton participate but with restrictions on live action activities as a precautionary measure. This approach is designed to ensure that he doesn't aggravate his rehabilitated ankles and continues on the path to full recovery. The Bucks have their first preseason game on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, and both the team and its fans are eager to see if Middleton will be ready to take the court.
Middleton's ability to make a full recovery and contribute significantly this season is crucial, especially given his integral role in the team's dynamics. The Bucks will undoubtedly be cautious with their star forward to ensure he remains healthy and fit for the challenges of the upcoming NBA season.
With Middleton’s determined outlook and the support from coach Rivers and GM Horst, Milwaukee hopes to navigate this delicate period smoothly, allowing their forward the necessary time to regain full fitness without rushing his return to five-on-five action.