Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton recently had arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles during the offseason, reports Shams Charania from The Athletic. Despite these procedures, Middleton is expected to be ready for the start of the NBA season. The surgeries addressed multiple injuries Middleton struggled with throughout the previous season.
The left ankle surgery stems from an incident on February 6, when Middleton sprained his ankle landing on Kevin Durant’s foot after a jump shot. Durant was given a flagrant foul for infringing on Middleton’s landing space, and the resulting injury persisted all season. Additionally, a minor arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle aimed to resolve an ongoing issue. This right ankle injury occurred during Game 2 of Milwaukee’s first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. Middleton underwent this surgery in mid-June and has since begun light court work.
Middleton’s injury woes have been a significant concern in recent years. A severe MCL sprain during the 2022 playoffs against the Chicago Bulls possibly cost the Bucks a chance to defend their title, as the Boston Celtics eliminated them in a grueling seven-game series. Middleton’s injury troubles continued, limiting him to just 33 games in the 2022-23 season due to knee problems, and only 55 games last season.
The Bucks, with an aging core, need Khris Middleton healthy. They’ve bolstered their roster with Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Delon Wright on minimum-salary deals, but the team still heavily relies on Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Brook Lopez to drive their offense. The anticipated Lillard-Antetokounmpo pick-and-roll synergy didn’t materialize as hoped last season, making Middleton’s role in offensive creation crucial. The trade sending Jrue Holiday out for Lillard has also left a gap in the Bucks’ perimeter defense, putting more pressure on their offensive output.
Middleton’s performance is vital for the Bucks to remain competitive. Lopez, at 36, is nearing the twilight of his career, and Lillard, now 34, may be exiting his prime. Milwaukee’s season will hinge on the health and durability of its star players, and Middleton’s successful recovery and return to form are essential.
For more in-depth NBA discussions, tune into the Beyond the Arc podcast with John Gonzalez, Bill Reiter, Ashley Nicole Moss, and special guests as they explore the league’s top storylines daily
Comments