The Milwaukee Bucks have won three of their last four games, but are still just 5-9 on the season. While All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are each off to stellar starts, the rest of the their team the find its footing.
Nov 17, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) drives for the basket against Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5)during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis is currently the NBA’s leading scorer, averaging 31.7 points per game while also averaging 12.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Lillard is having a solid season as well, averaging 25.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game.
They have not been enough, overall, though. Bucks players have struggled with various injuries and finding their own way in the offense. Gary Trent Jr., for example, was signed to be the starting shooting guard. However, he battled back spasms early in the season and ended up being bench. He has only recently started to have an impact on games and, unsurprisingly, Milwaukee has been more successful.
Three-Time All-Star Khris Middleton Has Yet to Play a Game for the Milwaukee Bucks This Year
May 2, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) defends during game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, the most notable player that has been injured for the Bucks this season is three-time All-Star Khris Middleton. After being the only member of Milwaukee’s Big Three healthy enough to play in each game of their Playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, Middleton needed surgery on both of his ankles.
When he first had the surgery, it was expected that he would be ready to get back on the court by the time training camp started. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
Once camp began, the hope was that he would be ready for the start of the 2024-25 NBA regular season. But that did not end up being the case either.
Milwaukee is currently playing the Chicago Bulls in their 15th game of the season, the Middleton still has yet to make his debut this year
Milwaukee Bucks Star Khris Middleton Has Been Medically Cleared to Play
Mar 1, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Before the Bucks and Bulls tipped off on Wednesday night, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed a startling update in the ongoing Khris Middleton injury saga:
As one can see from Charania’s post, Middleton was medically cleared to play a while ago. However, he and the Bucks are still working to get to the point where he feels physically ready to play.
Bucks fans were happy to hear that the franchise’s all-time leader in three-point shots made is close to returning:
In 11 seasons with the Bucks, Middleton has averages of 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 46/39/88 from the floor.
From 2019-2022, Middleton made three All-Star teams while averaging 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
In 2019-20, he was 0.3 percentage points off from a rare 50/40/90 season. Middleton shot 49.7% from the floor, 41.5% from three, and 91.6% from the free throw line.
