Following a season plagued by persistent health issues, Khris Middleton, forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, underwent two ankle surgeries during the offseason.
Reported by The Athletic, Middleton’s surgeries were arthroscopic clean-up procedures. The first surgery followed the Bucks’ elimination from the playoffs, addressing damage on Middleton’s left ankle sustained during a game against the Phoenix Suns.
Describing the severity of the injury, Middleton stated, “I can’t think of an ankle sprain I’ve had this bad like this. I mean, after it happened, I tried to play, run it off a little bit, see if it was going to loosen up or whatever. Just didn’t. Didn’t feel comfortable. Went into the back, tried to get re-taped, and as soon as I took my shoe off, it just blew up. So, had to shut it down.”
The second surgery, a minor procedure in comparison to the first, was performed in June to address lingering issues in his right ankle.
Recent updates indicate that Middleton has commenced light court activities and is anticipated to be fully fit for the upcoming 2024-2025 NBA season, as per The Athletic.
During his recovery, Middleton missed 16 consecutive games due to the left ankle injury, returning to play on March 17. Throughout the remainder of the regular season, he participated in 12 of the last 15 games, with three absences due to left ankle injury management.
Despite challenges with injuries, Middleton showcased his resilience during the playoffs, particularly in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Against the Pacers, Middleton excelled with an average of 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, culminating in a standout performance of 42 points in Game 3.
Over the past few seasons, Middleton has contended with various injuries, limiting his game appearances. In the previous season, he played in only 55 games, averaging 15 points per game while adhering to a minutes restriction. The season prior, Middleton was restricted to 33 games due to recovery from left wrist surgery, knee issues, and ongoing ankle problems.