Khris Middleton returns to practice after dual ankle surgery

In Milwaukee, Khris Middleton, a forward for the Bucks, participated in practice on December 4, 2024, while continuing his recovery process from dual ankle surgeries he underwent during the offseason. The 33-year-old veteran has been sidelined for 21 consecutive games and missed substantial playing time over the previous seasons due to injuries, appearing in only 55 games last season and 33 in 2022-23. This ongoing situation has drawn attention as the Bucks initially started the season poorly with a 2-8 record but bounced back to a seven-game winning streak, improving their overall record to 11-9 and positioning themselves fifth in the Eastern Conference. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers commented on Middleton’s situation, indicating that he could relate to Middleton’s frustration and fatigue from the lack of gameplay, especially seeing his team perform without him. Rivers has repeatedly noted that he and the coaching staff believed Middleton was on the verge of returning to active play, although there was no definitive timeline for his comeback. The mental toll of not being able to help the team amidst their struggles further complicates his recovery, as his contributions have been integral in previous successful runs by the Bucks including their 2021 championship win. Nonetheless, Rivers expressed optimism that Middleton's return is impending, although caution is still exercised regarding his readiness for gameplay. It is evident that Middleton has put in significant effort during practice, aiming to regain the level of play he has shown throughout his 12-year career, with 11 seasons spent on the Bucks. The hope remains that he will soon be able to alleviate the burden on his team and contribute effectively as injuries have hindered both his and the team's performance in recent seasons.