Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is approaching the new NBA season with a renewed sense of optimism as he looks to put his injury woes behind him. After enduring surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, Middleton is on a carefully managed path to full recovery.
Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed Middleton's participation in the team's training camp, which is being held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California. However, Middleton will initially be limited in live-action activities. "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."
Despite not being cleared for five-on-five action yet, the Bucks are optimistic that Middleton will be ready for the start of the season. The preseason kicks off on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, and there's hope within the organization that Middleton will be in good shape for the opener.
Navigating Ankle Issues
Middleton's struggles with ankle injuries were a significant storyline last season. He sprained his left ankle on February 6 in a game against the Phoenix Suns, an injury that sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Middleton returned to the court in late March, just as the Bucks were gearing up for the playoffs.
As if the left ankle injury wasn't enough, he then sprained his right ankle during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Remarkably, Middleton did not miss any games following this injury, showcasing his resilience. However, the Bucks ultimately fell to the Pacers in six games, ending their playoff run sooner than hoped.
Offseason Surgeries
The offseason was a period of recovery and preparation for Middleton. Alongside the surgeries to address the ankle issues that plagued him during the season, it was a chance for him to refocus and reset. "Khris is doing really well. It's just a normal offseason clean-up procedure," said Bucks general manager Jon Horst. "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."
These surgeries add to a list of previous procedures on his wrist, knee, and ankles over the past two seasons. Despite these setbacks, Middleton remains positive and focused on his recovery and getting back to his best form. His experience with injuries has taught him valuable lessons about his body and how to manage pain and recovery.
"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 reflected. "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."
Cautious Optimism
The Bucks' cautious approach in managing Middleton's return to full participation is a testament to their understanding of his value to the team. Last season saw him start with a minutes limit and avoiding back-to-back games to mitigate the risk of injury. The hope is that this vigilant approach, combined with his offseason surgeries, will help him maintain better health and contribute consistently throughout the season.
Training camp will be a crucial period for Middleton as he reintegrates with the team and begins to work on his conditioning and basketball activities. The Bucks’ coaching staff will be closely monitoring his progress, ensuring that while he participates fully in non-contact drills and conditioning work, he does not push himself too hard too soon.
As the season opener approaches, all eyes will be on how Middleton progresses. His ability to stay healthy and perform at his peak will be vital for the Bucks as they look to build on their previous campaigns and aim for another strong postseason run. With a new season on the horizon, both Middleton and the Bucks are hopeful that he can put his injury troubles behind him and continue to be a key player for the franchise.