After an arduous 2023-24 campaign, Milwaukee Bucks veteran Khris Middleton has “underwent two successful arthroscopic clean-up procedures to fix lingering issues this offseason,” per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The 12-year veteran missed 19 games with a left ankle injury last season.
“Shortly after the playoffs, Middleton underwent surgery on his left ankle…,” Charania reports. “… The procedure cleaned up some of the lingering damage that stemmed from the left ankle sprain Middleton suffered on Feb. 6…”
Khris Middleton heading to the locker room after this play with Kevin Durant. pic.twitter.com/w6HJoEupHs
— Player Rizz Magazine (@PlayerRizz) February 7, 2024
Middleton “also needed a minor arthroscopic procedure to clean up a lingering issue in his right ankle,” Charania adds. “That surgery occurred in mid-June.”
Bucks’ Khris Middleton Makes Major Offseason Decision
Every player hopes to avoid surgery. With that being said, Middleton deciding to have multiple operations this offseason wasn’t taken lightly.
Of course, though players have been known to play with gnarled feet (LeBron James) or fingers (Shawn Marion). Still, they simply can’t consistently perform up to their standards with bum ankles. In fact, speaking of James, the 39-year-old’s ankles are a bigger factor in his feelings about retirement than his age.
In any case, Middleton performed well enough in the 2024 NBA Playoffs to alleviate some concern about how he’ll look when he returns.
Stepping up in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 32-year-old averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the floor. Middleton does tend go raise his game in the playoffs. Over the past two seasons, he’s averaged 15.1 points per game in the regular season but 24.3 points per game in the postseason. Nonetheless, it’s notable he was moving pretty well on offense despite having recently returned from an ankle injury.
Being past his physical prime has still diminished his defensive ability though.
He’s capable of slowing down opponents. With his length, foundational strength, and basketball IQ, Middleton could still have made a positive impact at that end. Yet, he’s more likely to allow perimeter penetration. Of course, going into 2024-25 with two ankle injuries would’ve only exacerbated that issue.
When Will He Return?
According to Charania, Middleton “was walking without pain or discomfort when he visited his teammates in Las Vegas for summer league action Saturday afternoon.” Having “already started light court work… he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season.”
Considering his current progress, Middleton may be ready for training camp as well. If so, that’ll be a best-case scenario for the Bucks, as they still need to maximize the chemistry of their Big 3.
