Three-time Bucks All-Star forward Khris Middleton has been given the medical green light to return to action for Milwaukee, sources inform Shams Charania of ESPN.
The 6-foot-7 Texas A&M product has missed all of the 5-9 Bucks’ games this season while recuperating from offseason surgeries to both ankles. Charania reports that the 33-year-old continues to work his way toward a return, but does not yet feel physically ready.
Middleton’s extended recovery was not expected to last this long into Milwaukee’s season. Three-and-D veteran’s-minimum signing Taurean Prince has started for Middleton this year, but he is not a willing scorer at Middleton’s level. Across his 14 healthy games for his new team, Prince is averaging 8.9 points on .484/.527/1.000 shooting splits, along with 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
“He’s looked good,” said Bucks head coach Doc Rivers of Middleton, per Charania. “He’s working his butt off. Listen, I think he’s close. And he’s just going to keep working. This is the best I’ve seen him, I will say that.”
Per Charania, Milwaukee wants Middleton to take part in five-on-five scrimmages with teammates prior to his on-court comeback in a game setting. The Bucks are reportedly waiting on Middleton to let them know when he feels ready.
Middleton was a critical component to the team’s 2021 NBA championship run. His perimeter defense and jump shooting fit perfectly alongside All-NBA Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and then-All-Defensive teammates Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez. In addition to his league title, Middleton subsequently won an Olympic gold medal alongside Holiday that same summer.
He has not quite been the same since the 2021-22 season. Middleton has missed an average of 44 games across the past two seasons due to various maladies. When he has played, he has lacked the same lateral quickness that made him such a tenacious defender. His minutes have also been more limited in the interest of maintaining his health.
In his last two seasons, Middleton has averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 0.8 steals a game — all far cries from his numbers during his final All-Star season, 2021-22. That year, he logged averages of 20.1 points on .443/.373/.890 shooting splits, along with 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals a night.
Milwaukee next hosts the 6-9 Bulls on Wednesday.
