Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is approaching the new NBA season with a cautious yet optimistic outlook. After undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, Middleton is on the road to recovery, albeit with some restrictions.
Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed Middleton's participation in the upcoming training camp, which will be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California. However, Rivers emphasized that Middleton will be limited in live-action activities to allow full recovery from his surgeries. "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 said.
Despite the limitations, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding Middleton's progress. Bucks General Manager Jon Horst highlighted Middleton's current state, saying, "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."
Middleton's ankle issues significantly curtailed his availability last season, restricting him to 55 games. On February 6, during a game against the Phoenix Suns, he sprained his left ankle, an injury that sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Despite this setback, Middleton managed to return to play in late March only to sprain his right ankle in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Impressively, Middleton did not miss any games following the right ankle injury, although the Bucks were eventually eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
Middleton's resilience and experience have shaped his approach to injury management. Reflecting on his journey, Middleton 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."
In addition to his recent ankle surgeries, Middleton has dealt with various injuries in the past two seasons, including surgeries on his wrist and knee. Last season, he started on a minutes limit and avoided playing back-to-back games, a strategy that may be employed again to ensure his long-term health and effectiveness on the court.
The Bucks are optimistic that Middleton will be ready for the start of the season, despite not yet being cleared for five-on-five action. With the team's first preseason game scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, all eyes will be on Middleton's progress. The Bucks understand the importance of a healthy Middleton as they look to make a deep playoff run and contend for another NBA championship.
As the training camp nears, Middleton's story of perseverance and careful management of his body serves as an inspiration. His journey underscores the intricate balance athletes must strike between maintaining their competitive edge and managing their health. With support from the Bucks' coaching and medical staff, Middleton is poised to make a significant impact this season, while imparting valuable lessons about resilience and recovery.