Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is brimming with optimism as he approaches the upcoming NBA season, despite a challenging offseason marred by dual surgeries on his ankles. The 32-year-old All-Star endured significant ankle issues last season, which limited his appearance to just 55 games.
Middleton's troubles began on February 6, when he sprained his left ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns. The injury sidelined him for nearly six weeks, a critical period for the Bucks. Although he made a late-March return, Middleton's struggles were far from over. He sprained his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers but managed to continue playing through the pain. Despite his efforts, the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
The surgeries Middleton underwent in the offseason were directly related to these ankle sprains. Historically, Middleton has faced various injuries, having surgeries on his wrist, knee, and ankles over the past two seasons. Last season, he began on a minutes restriction and avoided playing back-to-back games, a cautious approach to maintaining his fitness and performance levels.
Despite these setbacks, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers expressed confidence in Middleton's readiness for the new season. "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 approach ensures Middleton remains involved while being prudent about his physical limitations.
General Manager Jon Horst also 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," Horst confirmed. This statement bodes well for the Bucks, who anticipate Middleton being ready for the start of the season.
Middleton himself has shown a mature understanding of his circumstances, shaped by years of battling 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. 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 hold their training camp on UC-Irvine’s campus in California, offering Middleton a fresh setting to reestablish his rhythm. He will, however, be limited in live action activities during the camp, focusing more on conditioning and non-competitive drills. This strategic planning aims to balance his recovery while integrating him back into the team's dynamics.
With the preseason opener scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, the Bucks are carefully monitoring Middleton's progress. The limited participation in live drills is likely a precautionary measure, ensuring the star forward does not rush back prematurely and risk re-injury.
As the Bucks look ahead to a new season, Middleton’s health is unquestionably pivotal. His performance and veteran presence will be crucial in their quest for success. Given his past contributions and resilience, there is considerable optimism surrounding his potential impact once he fully recovers.
Though questions about his durability linger, Middleton's commitment to his rehabilitation and his experience dealing with injuries offer a reassuring narrative. His progression through training camp and preparation for the season will be closely watched, with the hope that he can return to peak form and significantly bolster the Bucks' campaign.
The Bucks' careful approach, combined with Middleton's own understanding of his physical condition, provides a measured optimism for fans and analysts alike. If Middleton can navigate through training camp and the preseason without setbacks, Milwaukee will have every reason to be confident as they tip-off another highly anticipated NBA season.