Bucks Star Khris Middleton to Miss Season Opener
The Milwaukee Bucks will be without their star forward, Khris Middleton, when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the season opener on Wednesday. According to sources, Middleton is still rehabbing from offseason ankle surgeries and has not been cleared to participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages at practice.
A Cautious Approach
The Bucks are taking a cautious approach with Middleton’s return, given his history of lingering injuries. The three-time All-Star has only appeared in 88 regular-season games over the past two seasons, due to a variety of ailments. In April 2022, he sprained his knee during the playoffs, and later had wrist surgery during the offseason. Last summer, he underwent right knee surgery and was on a strict minutes restriction for most of the first half of the season.
Middleton’s Road to Recovery
Middleton’s current injury woes began in February, when he sprained his left ankle in a game against the Phoenix Suns. He missed 16 games with the injury, which he described as the worst ankle sprain of his career. Despite undergoing surgery on the ankle in May, Middleton still experienced pain and limited mobility. To make matters worse, he injured his right ankle during the playoffs, which required surgery in June.
Taurean Prince Fills the Void
In Middleton’s absence, Taurean Prince has been filling in as a starter during the preseason. Prince has shown promise, but the Bucks will undoubtedly miss Middleton’s scoring and playmaking abilities. Last season, Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
A Timeline for Return
While there is no official timeline for Middleton’s return, the Bucks are hopeful that he will be back on the court soon. In the meantime, the team will continue to monitor his progress and take a cautious approach to ensure that he is fully healthy before returning to action.
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