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Shams Charania, ESPN
Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton has been medically cleared for a period of time, but is still working to feel physically ready for his season debut following double ankle surgeries in the offseason, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Middleton has increased his activity on the court and has consistently completed 3-on-3 games over the past few weeks.
The team supports Middleton as he works to return to the court at his best, but his absence has lasted much longer than people in the organization anticipated.
“He looks good,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said of Middleton on Wednesday. “He’s working hard. Listen, I think he’s close. And he’s going to keep working. This is the best I’ve ever seen him, I’ll say that.”
The Bucks are still hopeful that Middleton, 33, will participate in some 5-on-5 scrimmages before returning to game action, but his return will be based on when he feels ready.
Since joining the Bucks as coach on Jan. 29, Rivers has coached Middleton for just 15 regular-season games. The trio of Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have played just seven games together with Rivers.
Middleton is a three-time All-Star, 2021 NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist. Injuries have limited him to 88 regular-season games since the start of the 2022-23 season, but he has still been a productive player when he plays and the Bucks believe he can be a difference-maker after their 5-9 start. Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds on 49% shooting last season.
“I feel good, just not good enough to play, that’s all,” Middleton told reporters in late October.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
