Khris Middleton has been out with injury since February 6 from an ankle sprain. The injury occurred in a game against the Phoenix Suns where Middleton went up for a three and landed on Kevin Durant’s foot.
The ankle ailment has lingered to the point where the 32-year-old Middleton has missed the last 12 games. The Milwaukee Bucks have gone 8-4 since the injury.
For the first time since the Khris Middleton injury, he spoke with the media about a potential timetable for his return.
Bucks Star Speaks on When He May Return From Ankle Injury
Back by End of Road Trip?
The Bucks have played two games of the four-game road trip that they are on. Middleton wouldn’t rule out returning by the end of the trip when they take on the Sacramento Kings on March 12.
Middleton seems frustrated as he has been unable to get back on the court. He said that this is the worst pain he has ever experienced due to an ankle sprain.
According to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the team is just waiting for the swelling to stop before he returns. Middleton stated that there has been improvement, but it is clear he is pining to get back on the court.
Last night, Khris Middleton spoke with reporters for the first time since his left ankle sprain in Phoenix on Feb. 6.
“Just waiting on this last little bit (of swelling) to go, so I can move freely without pain.”
The full media session, at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/ljtXLdKOM2
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) March 7, 2024
Middleton Has Been on Minutes Restriction Most of Season
After undergoing knee surgery in the offseason, Middleton began the season on a minutes restriction.
In the first 17 games he played through December 5, he was averaging just 21.1 minutes per contest. Middleton’s minutes were ramped up to 30.5 per game over his next 25 outings.
The three-time All-Star has averages of 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in his 43 games on the season. Middleton has shot 48.7% from the field, 37.8% on three-point tries, and 83.2% from the free-throw line. His career averages over 12 NBA seasons are 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
Needed to Help Improve Championship Chances
In 2021, the Bucks won it all with Middleton playing a huge role in the championship run. In 23 games during that postseason, he averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. He scored 40 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals to help Milwaukee even the series at 2-2 against the Phoenix Suns.
The Bucks have already undergone a head coaching change this season. On January 23, they fired Adrian Griffin and brought in Doc Rivers. Middleton has appeared in just three games since Rivers has taken over.
It is unlikely that Milwaukee will get the top seed in the Eastern Conference or fall any further than third. Currently, Milwaukee is in second place in the conference at 41-22. The Boston Celtics pretty much have the top seed sewn up as they are 7.5 games up on the Bucks. Milwaukee has a half-game lead over the third-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and a 4.5 game lead over the fourth-seeded Orlando Magic.
