After Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said on ESPN’s Summer League broadcast on Tuesday (Twitter video link) that Khris Middleton underwent surgery this summer, Shams Charania and Eric Nehm of The Athletic have provided the details. According to Charania and Nehm, Middleton is actually recovering from two separate procedures.
The first was an arthroscopic surgery on Middleton’s left ankle to address an injury that plagued him throughout the 2023/24 season. The Bucks forward originally sprained the ankle on February 6 and said a month later that he had never experienced a sprain as bad as that one — it ultimately kept him on the shelf for nearly a month-and-a-half, costing him 16 games.
Middleton also underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle, per The Athletic’s duo, to clean up a lingering issue. He sprained his right ankle in Game 2 of the team’s first-round postseason series vs. Indiana.
The procedure on Middleton’s left ankle occurred shortly after the Bucks were eliminated in the playoffs in May, while the second procedure on the right ankle was completed in mid-June.
Although it may not be welcome news for Bucks fans that Middleton – whose effectiveness has been compromised by injury issues in recent years – is recovering from surgeries on both ankles, Charania and Nehm say the recovery process is going well.
The 32-year-old was walking around without pain or discomfort in Las Vegas over the weekend and has already begun light on-court workouts, league sources tell The Athletic. The expectation is that Middleton will be ready to go for the start of the 2024/25 season.
Middleton’s numbers are down over the past two regular seasons as he has struggled to stay healthy, but he performed more like his old self during the postseason this spring, helping to keep the Bucks in the series vs. the Pacers with Giannis Antetokounmpo unavailable and Damian Lillard sidelined for two games. He averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in those six games, making 48.2% of his shots from the field and 90.0% of his free throws.
Yea… this doesn’t look great. And they have no way to move him if they wanted to pivot.
If Milwaukee doesn’t get a top 3 seed (which I don’t think is happening) there is a very high chance they get bounced in the first round again.
Are they beating Boston, New York or Philly in a series? Seems unlikely. Indiana? Doubt that as well. Orlando? Maybe but it’s not a clear yes.
They are in the weirdest spot. That Dame trade looks so bad right now.
Bucks lost 4-2 to Indiana last season with Giannis out and Dame missing two games. I don’t think Indiana wins a series if Giannis and Dame are both healthy for the playoffs.
I’d also take a healthy Giannis and Dame over the Magic and Knicks. Philly would be a coin flip.
sure doesn’t. another rehab season for khris. 30ish games again most?
Bucks have missed out on great runs. Cause of injuries. Just shows how tough it is to keep that window open. And why it’s so hard to repeat in the NBA.
A healthy Bucks team is a contender. And adding Trent Jr. Only helps that reality. Its just getting old seeing the Bucks hurt again.
I see the East as as really competitive. Boston are defending champs. And yes Jason we got to go thru Celtics. I just don’t see a contending East team that GAF about that.
Bucks, Sixers, Knicks, Cavs, Pacers, even Heat. All will show up for that series.