Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is approaching the upcoming NBA season with a sense of optimism following a challenging offseason marked by surgeries on both ankles. Although he has not yet been cleared for five-on-five action, the Bucks anticipate Middleton will be ready when the season tips off.
Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that Middleton will participate in the training camp, but with limitations on 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," Rivers noted. "But all our skeleton work, all our transition work, our transition defense, our conditioning work, he'll be on the floor with us."
Middleton's offseason was one of recovery and rehabilitation. The significant ankle issues that plagued him last season confined him to 55 games. He sprained his left ankle on February 6 during a game against the Phoenix Suns, which sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Middleton returned to action in late March, only to sprain his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Remarkably, he did not miss any games following the right ankle sprain, but the Bucks' playoff run was cut short as they were eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
"Khris is doing really well," said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. "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."
A Season of Challenges and Future Prospects
The challenges Middleton faced last season extended beyond his frequent ankle injuries. Over the past two seasons, he has undergone surgeries on his wrist, knee, and ankles. Last season, Middleton started on a strict minutes limit and avoided playing back-to-back games to manage his health and performance.
Middleton's experiences have made him more attuned to his physical limits and the intricacies of injury management. "Knowing my limits, knowing what pain is, knowing what you can play through and when it's not smart playing through," Middleton said. "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."
Preparation and Optimism as Training Camp Approaches
The Bucks will hold their training camp at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, setting the stage for Middleton and his teammates to gear up for the new season. Throughout the camp, Middleton will be limited to non-live activities as the team carefully monitors his recovery. This approach aims to ensure he is in optimal shape for the start of the season.
The Bucks' first preseason game is scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. While it remains uncertain how much Middleton will play during the preseason, his participation in camp is a positive indicator of his progress.
Milwaukee's focus remains on the long-term health and performance of their star forward. By gradually ramping up his activity, the Bucks hope to avoid the pitfalls of the previous season and secure Middleton’s contributions throughout the year.
Middleton's journey back to full strength is closely watched by fans and analysts alike. His ability to manage his recovery and perform at a high level will be crucial to the Bucks' success in the highly competitive NBA landscape.
As the season approaches, Middleton's resilience and determination provide a beacon of hope for the Milwaukee Bucks. With a thoughtful approach to his recovery and an eye on the future, the veteran forward aims to help lead his team to new heights.