MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton, a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, is set to make his return to the court on Friday for the 2024-25 season after being sidelined for the first 21 games due to recovery from surgeries on both ankles during the offseason.
On Thursday, the Bucks issued an injury report indicating that Middleton is probable to play in the away game against the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics.
Coach Doc Rivers mentioned on Wednesday that Middleton had taken part in a five-on-five practice earlier that day, marking a significant step in his recovery. Rivers made his comments following a disappointing 119-104 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks, which interrupted a seven-game winning streak for the team.
“Anyone who wants to play, including Khris, definitely feels the frustration,” Rivers acknowledged. “That can be mentally taxing. Watching your team perform well is tough, but I can only imagine how challenging it was for him during our rough patches without him. He wishes to contribute, and he is well aware that he can make an impact.”
Both Rivers and the Bucks’ general manager, Jon Horst, had previously expressed optimism that Middleton’s rehabilitation would not keep him off the court for an extended period. However, this ongoing situation only emphasizes the difficulties faced by the 33-year-old in staying healthy.
In the 2022-23 season, Middleton played in just 33 games, and last season, he made only 55 appearances due to persistent injuries. A particular setback occurred when a sprained medial collateral ligament forced him to miss the final ten games of the Bucks’ playoff run in 2022.
When he is on the court, Middleton demonstrates significant productivity. In the 2023-24 regular season, he averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. During the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, which the Bucks lost, Middleton stepped up significantly in the absence of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, averaging 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across the six games played.
