Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the upcoming NBA season with a sense of optimism, after undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. This period of recovery and rehabilitation has left Middleton not quite ready for five-on-five action, but the Bucks are cautiously optimistic that their key player will be fit for the start of the season.
The team's head coach, Doc Rivers, affirmed that Middleton would take part 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 said. This measured approach is designed to ease Middleton back into the rigors of professional basketball.
The previous season was marred by significant ankle troubles for Middleton, which curtailed his appearances to just 55 games. His issues began on February 6 during a matchup against the Phoenix Suns, where he sprained his left ankle, causing him to be sidelined for nearly six weeks. He made his return in late March, only to suffer a sprain to his right ankle during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite this injury, Middleton displayed his resilience by not missing any games, but the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
The offseason surgeries were necessary to address these nagging ankle injuries. General Manager Jon Horst provided a reassuring update on Middleton's condition: "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."
This isn't the first time Middleton has had to go under the knife. In the past two seasons, he has also undergone surgeries on his wrist and knee. Such recurrent injuries have meant that Middleton spent much of the last season on a minutes limit and avoided playing back-to-back games to manage his condition better.
The Bucks will hold their training camp at UC-Irvine’s campus in California. Middleton, who turned up for camp with a positive mindset, understands the importance of listening to his body and balancing his competitive spirit with practicality. "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.
The Bucks will be watching Middleton's progress carefully, aiming to have him fit and firing for the season opener. The first preseason game is slated for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, a matchup that will serve as an early indicator of Middleton's readiness for the grueling NBA schedule ahead.
Middleton's presence is pivotal for the Bucks' aspirations this season. His ability to contribute significantly on both ends of the court makes him indispensable. The Bucks management, coaching staff, and fans all share a collective hope that this offseason's cleanup procedures will allow Middleton to reclaim his form and maintain his fitness throughout the season.
In the high-stakes environment of the NBA, the health and performance of key players like Middleton can often make the difference between a playoff push and an early exit. As the new season approaches, the Bucks are taking every precaution to ensure their forward is in the best possible shape to compete at the highest level, while Middleton himself remains committed to overcoming the physical challenges he has faced in recent years. The journey towards recovery and peak performance continues, with eyes firmly set on the horizon of the new NBA season.