Three-time Bucks All-Star forward Khris Middleton has been given the medical green light to return to action for Milwaukee, sources inform Shams Charania of ESPN.
The 6’7″ Texas A&M product has missed all of the 5-9 Bucks’ games this season while recuperating from offseason surgeries to both ankles. Charania reports that the 33-year-old continues to work his way towards a return, but does not yet feel physically ready to make his season debut.
Middleton’s extended recovery was not expected to last this long into Milwaukee’s season. Taurean Prince, who signed a minimum-salary contract as a free agent in July, has started for Middleton this year, though he is not a willing scorer at Middleton’s level. Across his 14 healthy games for his new team, Prince is averaging 8.9 points on .484/.527/1.000 shooting splits, along with 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
“He’s looked good,” said Bucks head coach Doc Rivers of Middleton. “He’s working his butt off. Listen, I think he’s close. And he’s just going to keep working. This is the best I’ve seen him, I will say that.”
According to Charania, Milwaukee wants Middleton to take part in 5-on-5 scrimmages with teammates prior to his on-court comeback in a game setting. The Bucks are reportedly waiting on Middleton to let them know when he feels ready.
Middleton was a critical component to the team’s 2021 NBA championship run. His perimeter defense and jump shooting fit perfectly alongside All-NBA Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and then-All-Defensive teammates Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez. In addition to his NBA title, Middleton subsequently won an Olympic gold medal alongside Holiday that same summer.
Middleton has not quite been the same since the 2021/22 season. He has missed an average of 44 games across the past two seasons due to various ailments. When he has played, he has lacked the same lateral quickness that made him such a tenacious defender. His minutes have also been more limited in the interest of maintaining his health.
In his last two seasons, Middleton has averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 0.8 steals per game — all far cries from his numbers during his final All-Star season, 2021/22. He logged averages of 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per night that season, with .443/.373/.890 shooting splits.
Milwaukee next hosts the 6-9 Bulls on Wednesday.
I’ll believe it when I SEE IT ……
Right. But like Doc said (and has been saying since camp started..) “he’s close!” I mean, if that’s not a guaranteed absolute lock that he’ll suit up next game, I don’t know what is.
Hey chill out Middleton is the man
was the man.
Let’s give him an over/under of 30 games played… what you takin?
Under. Probably closer to 20. I hesitated just a bit because he’d probably gut it out come playoff time since Giannis will be on the shelf then, but first they have to get there, and second that would probably only add 4-5 more games.
Teams aren’t being forthright about these injuries to key players. I think it’s to prevent a drop in ticket sales. It sucks for fans, who end up paying a premium, to see two way players in starting lineups. I wish the league would step in and stop this cloak and dagger nonsense regarding the injury reports