Although he is medically cleared to return, and apparently has been for some time, Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton is not yet ready to appear in court.
Middleton is still working on “feeling physically ready” to make his season debut with the Bucks after undergoing a pair of ankle surgeries last season, according to . He has increased his on-field activity in recent weeks, playing three-on-three in practice, but he is still not back to full participation.
While the team is supportive of Middleton, his absence has lasted longer than many within the organization expected, the report shows.
It is unclear when Middleton will be able to make his debut with the team this season. The Bucks hope he can participate in full scrimmages before playing in an actual game.
“He looked good,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday, via ESPN. ‘He works very hard. Listen, I think he’s close. And he just keeps working. This is the best I’ve ever seen him, I’ll say that.’
Middleton averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 assists per game last season, his 11th with the Bucks. The three-time All-Star also shot better than 49% from the floor last season. However, Middleton has played in just 88 regular-season games since the start of the 2022-23 season due to various injuries, and he has played in just 15 games under Rivers since he was hired to take over the team in January.
The Bucks could use Middleton, too. The team entered Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls with a 5-9 record. While they won three of their last four, the Bucks lost six of their first seven games of the season.
Middleton will undoubtedly make a big impact for Milwaukee once he gets back on the field. However, when that will actually be is still up in the air.
