MILWAUKEE — What’s up with Khris Middleton? That’s been the big question in Milwaukee this season with the Bucks off to a sluggish start amid the absence of their third-best player. Middleton has yet to play after undergoing surgery on both ankles during the offseason, despite being medically cleared for a “period of time,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Here’s a quick timeline of how things have progressed since the offseason, and when Middleton might take the court again.
Optimism after offseason surgery
Initial reports back in the summer were positive about his chances to be ready for the season. Middleton himself said The Athletic that “to have a successful season there is to play damn near 82 games.” He continued, “Anything under 70, 75 games, no, I don’t consider that a successful season for me.”
While he wasn’t cleared for 5-on-5 action when training camp opened, the Bucks, as a whole, talked as if his return was imminent.
“Khris is doing very well,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said at media day. “It’s just a normal offseason cleanup process. He’s literally on the court right now as we speak. He’s going to be a very active participant in camp, so Khris is healthy as well.”
Middleton, for his part, said that day that he felt “great.” A week later, coach Doc Rivers indicated that he was hopeful that Middleton would fit during the preseason: “I think maybe the last two (games), but there is no guarantee there.”
Ambiguous absences
Middleton did not play in the preseason, and was soon ruled out for the team’s season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. Rivers said that Middleton did not suffer a setback and added“if this is a playoff game, he’d probably play or close to it.”
Almost a week later, Rivers told reporters before the Bucks’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets that Middleton “came close” and progressed to playing 3-on-3.
October 31st, Middleton spoke to the media for the first time all season
“I feel good, just not good enough to play that,” Middleton said. “That’s really all I can say at this point. And just working to get back on the court. I feel better and better every day, just not good enough to play yet.
“There have been no setbacks, no relevant things that have made me say I need to take some days off or whatever. It’s just every day, every day trying to take the next step without blowing this thing up and doing it smartly. Just for myself, for the team, for everything, for the long term, for the health of my career.”
In early November, with Middleton still stuck on the sidelines, Rivers said, “I don’t know the answer” when asked if Middleton’s status was permanent or week-to-week. He added that there was no frustration with Middleton’s continued absence.
“Some people recover [faster] and everybody’s different,” Rivers said. “And Khris has had a lot of injuries and surgery stuff, so it’s just not as fast as we thought it was going to be and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
More of the same
Rivers still had no answers on November 13 before the Bucks’ dramatic overtime win over the Detroit Pistons, although he reaffirmed that there was no setback.
“He’s just progressing and going,” Rivers said. “I mean, I don’t know what the return date was or that there was one set, so what we’re doing is getting him healthy so that when he’s ready to play, he’s ready to play.
“As I’ve jokingly said a million times, Doc is a nickname. I don’t really know [what progressing looks like]. I just check with the medical team and they tell me the same things. He comes there, he gets closer, and basically I’m broadcasting the same things to you. … I check with Khris and guys who are hurt about how they feel, more human stuff, because Khris wants to play and he’s frustrated that he’s not.”
It was more of the same before the Bucks took care of the Bulls on Wednesday. Rivers said Middleton hasn’t progressed to playing 5-on-5 yet, but has looked “really good” in 3-on-3 sessions: “He’s working his but outside. You know, listen, I think he’s close. I think. I’ve said that before, but he is, and he’s going to keep working. This is the best I’ve seen him, I’ll say that.”
When will Middleton play again?
Charania’s report on Wednesday indicates that someone, or several people, within the organization are growing weary of Middleton’s lack of progress. Putting public pressure on a player, especially one of Middleton’s stature, is a rare occurrence in Milwaukee.
At this point, there is still no timeline for Middleton’s return, although the leak suggests the Bucks hope it will be sooner rather than later. While they’ve won four of five to improve to 6-9 on the season, they need Middleton back in the lineup, and playing at their best, to seriously contend in the Eastern Conference.
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