Why is Khris Middleton not playing tonight against Chicago Bulls? Latest on Bucks forward's absence (Oct. 25)
Khris Middleton is listed out for the Milwaukee Bucks' matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Friday. The three-time NBA All-Star is rehabilitiating from offseason ankle surgeries as the Bucks cautiously progress Middleton toward a return.
What happened to Khris Middleton?
Khris Middleton injured both his ankles in separate instances during the 2023-24 season and underwent surgeries to repair them in the offseason. Middleton sat out the entirety of the Milwaukee Bucks' preseason as well as season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
However, the former NBA champion seems to be inching closer to his return as per Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who told reporters ahead of their matchup against the Sixers.
"I thought before this week there was a pretty good chance he may make it. Because he's moving great. But we just haven't had enough live activity for him. There's no setbacks. I would say if this was a playoff game he'd probably be playing or close to it," Rivers said.
Middleton has reportedly participated in individual drills during practice and has advanced through one-on-one work up to three-on-three. However, he's yet to get cleaarance to paricipate in a full-team setting.
Khris Middleton opens up about being labelled as 'injury-prone'
Khris Middleton heads into the 2024-25 season after back-to-back injury-riddled campaigns. The Bucks forward missed 27 games in the previous season due to his ankle injuries and only played 33 games in the season before.
Middleton's limited availability over the last two years have some tagging him as an "injury-prone" player. In an interview with The Athletic earlier this month, Middleton coveyed that he didn't appreciate the label as he elaborated on his circumstances.
“I try not to read and look at that stuff, but yeah, the injury-prone stuff is frustrating because I feel like for the most part, it’s just — I don’t want to say freak accidents — but just accidents, man,” Middleton said. “And I think when you say injury-prone, that goes to how you take care of your body.
“And I take a lot of pride in taking care of my body since day one that I’ve been here. So, no, I don’t think I’m injury-prone at all. I’ve just had unfortunate incidents that have happened on the basketball court, which is a wrong place, bad time type of thing.”
Khris Middleton concluded the 2023-24 season averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 49.3%. His next chance to debut his 13th season in the league may be when the Bucks face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.