NBA insider reveals Khris Middleton's latest status as Bucks slump to bottom of Eastern Conference standings

The Milwaukee Bucks rank at the bottom of the Eastern Conference early in the 2024-25 NBA season, and veteran forward Khris Middleton has not played a single game as he recovers from offseason surgeries. NBA insider Shams Charania shared additional details on Middleton's absence Tuesday.

Over the summer, Middleton underwent arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles. The forward was expected to make a healthy return to the lineup before the beginning of the 2024-25 NBA season. However, seven games have passed and there hasn't been any update on Middleton's return to action. According to Charania, the surgery on his left ankle was related to a sprain the All-Star forward sustained last season. Meanwhile, the surgery on his right ankle was supposed to be a cleanup due to a lingering issue he experienced.

"Khris Middleton, his absence has been deafening for this team," said Charania. "He's been out an indefinite period of the time all season. It's still uncertain when he's going to be be back. "He has yet to be cleared for 5 on 5 scrimmaging. The Bucks have felt throughout training camp that he was a week away, two weeks ago. Team officials have recognized that this is taking much longer than they anticipated. There was an idea that maybe he was going to be back a couple of weeks ago, but he still has not been."

Injuries have held the three-time All-Star back in the past two seasons. During the 2022-23 campaign, Middleton only played 33 games as he suffered a wrist injury that prevented him from playing the first 20 games. The Bucks forward also came off an MCL sprain the previous season.

The Bucks have not provided a projected comeback date for this season.

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How Middleton's absence affects Bucks

While Middleton isn't the same All-Star he once was, he's still an effective player. In the past two seasons, he's averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Even with low numbers, the Bucks are missing a proven scorer in Middleton.

The veteran forward is a career 38.8% shooter from beyond the arc and with his presence on the floor, defenses find it difficult to send double teams at stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Overall, Middleton's absence revealed that the team has no clear third option to pick up the slack behind Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Middleton's playoff performances last season showed what he is still capable of when the stars are struggling or injured, so the Bucks still need him on the floor to compete. According to Charania's latest report, it seems Middleton still has to overcome some hurdles to return to the court.

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