As the Milwaukee Bucks gear up for the upcoming NBA season, all eyes are on forward Khris Middleton, who approaches the season with an air of optimism. Middleton, a pivotal player for the Bucks, has had an eventful offseason, including surgeries on both ankles. Despite these recent procedures, there are signs pointing towards a positive recovery.
However, Middleton has yet to receive clearance for full five-on-five action. The Bucks' medical staff remains cautious, but there is confidence that Middleton will be ready for the start of the season. Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed Middleton's participation in the team's training camp, but noted that he will be limited in live-action activities.
"He'll participate in camp. We won't have him doing a lot of live action, coming off the surgery and all that," stated Rivers. "But all our skeleton work, all our transition work, our transition defense, our conditioning work, he'll be on the floor with us."
The previous season saw Middleton plagued with significant ankle issues, restricting him to just 55 games. He experienced a devastating sprain to his left ankle on February 6 during a game against the Phoenix Suns, sidelining him for nearly six weeks. Middleton returned to action in late March, only to suffer another setback in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, this time spraining his right ankle. Remarkably, he did not miss any games following this injury, though the Bucks' playoff run was cut short by the Pacers in six games.
The surgeries Middleton underwent in the offseason were direct responses to these sprains. This isn't the first time Middleton has navigated the challenges of recovery; in the past two seasons, he has also had surgeries on his wrist and knee. The toll of these procedures was evident last season, as he started on a minutes limit and steered clear of back-to-back games.
Bucks General Manager Jon Horst provided additional insights into Middleton's condition: "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."
The Bucks have opted for a change of scenery for their training camp, choosing UC-Irvine’s campus in California as their base. Their first preseason game is slated for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, a matchup that will offer the first glimpses of Middleton's form and fitness post-surgery.
Despite the hurdles, Middleton's approach to his recovery and preparation is mature and measured. Reflecting on his experiences, he 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."
As the Bucks aim to make a deeper playoff run this season, Middleton's health and performance will be crucial. The consensus within the organization is one of cautious optimism, recognizing the importance of balancing his workload while ensuring he remains a key contributor on the floor. His journey through injuries, surgeries, and recovery has imparted valuable lessons in endurance and self-awareness, all of which will be instrumental as he steps back onto the court.
Indeed, the road to recovery is often just as challenging as the competition itself. For Khris Middleton and the Milwaukee Bucks, October 6 will be a significant milestone, marking not only the start of the preseason but also the beginning of a new chapter defined by resilience and determination.