Khris Middleton will make his season debut Friday against the Boston Celtics as the Milwaukee Bucks forward returns from offseason ankle surgery, sources told ESPN’s Bobby Marks on Thursday.
Middleton is listed as likely to play Friday on the NBA’s injury report.
He participated in a 5-on-5 practice session Wednesday before the Bucks’ 119-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks snapped a seven-game winning streak.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers had said Wednesday that Middleton was close to playing and that he could understand Middleton being frustrated by missing the first 21 games of the season.
“Anyone who wants to play, and Khris is one of those [guys]They’re frustrated,” Rivers said. “That’s a mental challenge. You see your team playing, and even though we’re playing well right now, I imagine when we were struggling and he wasn’t playing, it must have been very difficult for him. “You want to help your team and he knows he can.”
Sources had told ESPN’s Shams Charania last month that Middleton was medically cleared but was still working on feeling physically ready to play.
Middleton underwent arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles during the offseason due to injuries suffered during the 2023-24 campaign.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
