As the NBA season looms on the horizon, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is nurturing a cautiously optimistic outlook. Having undergone surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, Middleton is taking measured steps in his preparation for the grueling demands of an NBA campaign.
Head coach Doc Rivers has affirmed Middleton’s participation in the upcoming training camp, although his involvement will be somewhat restricted. "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 explained.
The Bucks hope Middleton, who played through significant ankle issues last season, will be ready when the season commences. These ankle troubles constricted him to just 55 games, a season marked by start-stops in rhythm and rehabilitation. The troubles culminated with a sprained left ankle on February 6 against the Phoenix Suns, an injury that sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Though he made a return in late March, his left ankle was barely back when he sprained his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite this, Middleton showed remarkable resilience by not missing any subsequent games. Yet, the Bucks’ postseason aspirations were extinguished by the Pacers in six games.
These grueling injuries prompted surgeries in the offseason, where Middleton opted for corrective procedures related to the sprains he suffered. Over the past two seasons, it’s been a long list of health woes for Middleton, including surgeries on his wrist and knee, apart from the ankle issues.
General Manager Jon Horst offered a positive update on Middleton’s current state. "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 noted, emphasizing Middleton's active involvement despite the recent surgeries.
Middleton has learned to navigate his physical limitations wisely. "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," Middleton shared, reflecting the wisdom gained through his journey of injuries and recoveries.
Looking ahead to the new season, the Bucks' immediate focus is ensuring that Middleton participates meaningfully at their training camp at UC-Irvine’s campus in California. Though his on-court activities will be tempered with caution, the camp serves as a pivotal moment for Middleton to integrate back into the team’s schemes and conditioning programs.
The Bucks' first preseason game is an early October tilt against the Detroit Pistons. They are hopeful that Middleton's journey of recovery will peak just as the season tips off, offering a renewed chance for the forward to demonstrate his known prowess when fully healthy.
Middleton's story, a blend of resilience and rehabilitation, underscores the unpredictable volatility of professional athlete life. For the Bucks, his return to form is crucial, not just for the regular season but as a beacon of hope for deeper postseason runs. As Middleton steps back on the floor, albeit gradually, his equipoise and experience will serve as vital assets for the Bucks in the forthcoming season.