As the NBA season looms, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is eyeing his return to the court with cautious optimism. Middleton, who underwent surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, remains an essential asset for the Bucks, despite his current limitations.
Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that while Middleton will be integrating into the Bucks' training camp, his participation will be measured. "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. This approach aims to ensure that Middleton can contribute effectively when the regular season begins.
Adding on to the reassuring notes, Bucks General Manager Jon Horst provided a positive 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."
Middleton's history with injuries has been a focal point, particularly during the last season when he encountered significant ankle issues, limiting him to just 55 games. The forward's struggles began on February 6, when he sprained his left ankle in a clash against the Phoenix Suns, sidelining him for nearly six weeks. Despite returning to play in late March, Middleton's battles were far from over. In Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, he sustained a right ankle sprain. Impressively, Middleton did not miss any subsequent games, but the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
The offseason surgeries that followed were a direct response to these injuries. Over the past two seasons, Middleton has undergone procedures on his wrist, knee, and ankles. His resilience and determination to remain on the court have been commendable, but they have also necessitated a cautious approach in managing his physical condition. Last season, he started on a minutes restriction and avoided participating in back-to-back games to preserve his health.
Reflecting on his journey, Middleton shared, "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."
The Bucks' training camp, set to take place at UC-Irvine's campus in California, will be crucial in ensuring Middleton's readiness for the season opener. The first preseason game is scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, providing Middleton and his supporters an initial glimpse of his return to form.
As the Bucks gear up for another competitive season, the hope is that Middleton's extensive rehabilitation and the strategic approach to his recovery will mitigate the injury woes that have plagued him. The team's aspirations will heavily rely on a healthy and effective Khris Middleton, making his progress in the coming weeks a storyline to watch closely.