The Milwaukee Bucks are easily the most disappointing team through two weeks of the new season. They are just 1-6 with their one win being against the Philadelphia 76ers, who were without Paul George and Joel Embiid. On the court, the Bucks have not looked good on either side of the ball. This is reflected in their team stats as well as they rank in the bottom half in ORTG and DRTG. It is important to note, however, that the Bucks have missed Khris Middleton the entire season so far due to a lingering ankle injury. Furthermore, Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently dealing with a hip injury. However, he remains day-to-day.
While things have mostly been bad for Milwaukee so far, things may start to better for the team soon. Per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (subscription required), Middleton is “feeling better” and could make his season debut soon.
“I feel good, just not good enough to play that’s all,” Middleton said, in his first comments since the Bucks opened training camp the first week of October. “That’s really all I can say at this point. And just working to get back on the court. I’m feeling better and better each day just not good enough to play yet.”
Milwaukee Bucks Star Gives Slightly Positive Injury Update
Khris Middleton’s Return From Injury May Have to Wait
If Middleton can return to the court soon enough and remain healthy, he will provide a major boost to the Bucks. However, it seems that he is not ready to return just yet. Beyond his own comments, ESPN’s Shams Charania recently reported that Middleton still has not been cleared for 5 on 5 scrimmaging.
Khris Middleton is still out indefinitely, per @ShamsCharania
“He has yet to be cleared for 5 on 5 scrimmaging. Team officials have recognized that this is taking much longer than they anticipated” 😬
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 5, 2024
“It’s still uncertain when he’s going to be back. He has yet to be cleared, to my knowledge, for 5 on 5 scrimmaging, and the Bucks have felt throughout the season, throughout training camp that he was a week away two weeks ago. Team officials have recognized that this is taking much longer than they anticipated for Khris Middleton. There was an idea that maybe he was going to be back a couple weeks ago,” Charania said.
What Khris Middleton Brings to the Milwaukee Bucks
Middleton has spent the last 11 seasons of his career in Milwaukee. At his peak, he was one of the NBA’s best two-way players. While he is not the All-Star type of player he was a few years ago, Middleton is still very valuable to the Bucks’ roster. He remains a top defender on the team and is still an elite shooter. Last season, he averaged 15.1 points on 38.1% shooting from the three-point line. Around the league, there are few third options better than Middleton. Furthermore, the South Carolina native played well during last season’s playoff run. In Antetokounmpo’s absence, Middleton averaged 24.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in six games against the Indiana Pacers.
The 33-year-old remains a major part of the Bucks’ core. If they want to get back into the playoff race, his return is crucial to their success.
