Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the next NBA season with an optimistic outlook. Despite a challenging offseason that included surgeries on both ankles, Middleton and the Bucks remain hopeful about his return to full action.
Offseason Challenges and Recovery
Middleton's offseason was marked by significant medical procedures as he underwent surgeries to address issues in both ankles. These surgeries followed a season where he was hampered by substantial ankle problems, limiting his participation to just 55 games. A key moment of last season occurred on February 6, when Middleton sprained his left ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns, sidelining him for nearly six weeks. He made his return to the court in late March, only to suffer another setback as he sprained his right ankle during Game 2 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite this injury, Middleton did not miss any games, showcasing his resilience.
Reflecting on his recent health challenges, Middleton shared insights into his learning process, saying, "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."
Planned Participation in Training Camp
As the new season approaches, the Bucks' head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed Middleton’s participation in training camp, albeit with some limitations. While Middleton has not yet been cleared for five-on-five action, his involvement in other team activities is expected. Doc Rivers elaborated, "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." This plan allows Middleton to ease into the season while still contributing to team drills and building chemistry with his teammates.
General Manager Jon Horst also expressed confidence in Middleton’s progress and anticipated readiness for the season start. "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 stated.
Looking Forward to the New Season
With the training camp scheduled to be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, the Bucks are preparing meticulously for their first preseason game on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. Middleton’s health and performance will be closely monitored as the team aims to integrate him back into full-scale action. His experience and skill set are pivotal for the Bucks, who are undoubtedly looking to improve upon their previous season’s performance where they were eliminated by the Pacers in six games during the playoffs.
Middleton’s return is not just about his physical readiness but also about his mental approach, integrating lessons learned over the past challenging years. The Bucks are hopeful that with measured precautions and Middleton’s growing wisdom regarding his physical limits, he can return to being a significant contributor on the court.
The upcoming season holds promise for the Milwaukee Bucks and Khris Middleton, centered around a careful balance of recovery, participation, and competitive spirit. All eyes will be on Middleton as he steps back into action, aiming to lead the Bucks to new heights.