Shams Charania, ESPN
Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton is predicted to overlook Wednesday’s season opener towards the Philadelphia 76ers, sources informed ESPN on Monday.
The three-time All-Star shall be out to start out the NBA season as he rehabs from offseason ankle surgical procedures, and the Bucks are cautiously progressing Middleton towards a return, sources informed ESPN.
Middleton didn’t seem in a preseason recreation and nonetheless hasn’t been cleared to take part within the workforce’s 5-on-5 scrimmages at apply. He had taking part in 3-on-3 scrimmages for a lot of the preseason, however Bucks coach Doc Rivers informed reporters over the weekend that Middleton has been restricted in apply since Wednesday.
Taurean Prince has been filling in within the beginning lineup through the preseason throughout Middleton’s absence.
Middleton sprained his left ankle in a Feb. 6 recreation towards the Phoenix Suns after he landed on Kevin Durant’s foot following a leap shot. Middleton then missed the subsequent 16 video games with the harm, which he known as the worst ankle sprain of his profession; it lingered all season.
Middleton, who averaged 15.1 factors, 4.7 factors and 5.3 assists through the common season, underwent surgical procedure on it shortly after Milwaukee’s season resulted in Could.
The correct ankle harm occurred throughout Recreation 2 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. The harm stored him from practising through the playoffs, however he performed by means of it to common 24.7 factors, 9.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists in serving to Milwaukee struggle within the collection with out an injured Giannis Antetokounmpo. He had surgical procedure on it in June.
Middleton, 34, has solely appeared in 88 regular-season video games throughout the previous two seasons due to numerous lingering accidents. In April 2022, he sprained his knee through the Bucks’ first-round playoff collection after which had wrist surgical procedure through the 2022 offseason.
In the summertime of 2023, he had proper knee surgical procedure and was stored on a strict minutes restriction for a lot of the first half of the season.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
