Khris Middleton will return to the Milwaukee Bucks’ lineup on Friday when they take on the Boston Celtics, his agent told ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The 33-year-old attacker is not fit this season after undergoing surgery on his ankles in the off-season. Middleton last played in Game 6 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series loss to the Indiana Pacers in May.
Middleton has been medically cleared to return for a few weeks but needed time to “feel physically ready” to make his season debut for the 11-10 Bucks. Taking part in a 5-on-5 session on Wednesday, head coach Doc Rivers said the three-time NBA All-Star was “trying his hardest and doing everything he’s supposed to do” and that he was “hopeful.” “the 13-year veteran would return soon.
“I don’t think this is an easy path for Khris,” Rivers said. “I’d rather play in a match than in a group of five on the morning of a match, I know that. I think this is difficult.”
Injuries have limited Middleton to 99 regular season and playoff games over the past two seasons. He hasn’t played 70 regular-season games since 2018-19, but has remained productive, averaging 15.1 points per game from 2022 to 2024 and 20.5 points per game from 2019 to 2022.
Middleton sprained his left ankle on February 6 after landing on the foot of Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. That cost him sixteen games. He would injure his right ankle in Game 2 against the Pacers. Although he didn’t miss a single game, the team kept him out of practice.
The Bucks hoped Middleton would be ready for the start of the 2024-2025 season, but given his value to the Bucks – 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game last season – the player opted for a cautious approach to rehabilitation. the team.
