The Milwaukee Bucks have won three of their last four games, but are still only 5-9 on the season. While All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are off to a great start, the rest of the team is finding their footing.
Giannis is currently the NBA’s leading scoreraveraging 31.7 points per game, as well as averaging 12.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
Lillard is also having a solid season, averaging 25.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.
However, overall, they were not sufficient. Bucks players struggled with various injuries and finding their own way in attack. For example, Gary Trent Jr. he was hired as the starting gunner. However, he struggled with spasms at the beginning of the season and eventually found himself on the bench. It wasn’t until recently that he started making an impact in games, and unsurprisingly, Milwaukee was having more success.
Three-time All-Star Khris Middleton has yet to play a game for the Milwaukee Bucks this year
Of course, the most notable player to suffer an injury for the Bucks this season is three-time All-Star Khris Middleton. Middleton was the only member of Milwaukee’s Big Three who was well enough to play in every game of the playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. Middleton needed surgery on both ankles.
When he first underwent surgery, he was expected to be ready to return to the court by the start of training camp. Unfortunately, this 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 didn’t happen either.
Milwaukee is currently playing the Chicago Bulls in their 15th game of the season, and Middleton still hasn’t made his debut this year.
Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton has been cleared to play due to health concerns
Before the Bucks and Bulls were tipped off on Wednesday night, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed a surprising update on Khris Middleton’s ongoing injury saga:
Sources tell ESPN that Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton has been undergoing medical evaluations for some time but is still working to feel physically ready for his season debut following surgery on both ankles. Join NBA Countdown on ESPN now to discuss. pic.twitter.com/hgKcK6hDuQ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2024
As you can see from Charania’s post, Middleton received doctors’ approval to play some time ago. However, he and the Bucks are still working to get to a point where he feels physically ready to play.
Bucks fans were content to hear that the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made is close to returning:
Great news GL, continue your recovery Khris!
— jion12345 (@jion_12345) November 21, 2024
I’m rooting for him. The Bucks need him DESPERATELY
— DEMARCUS MILLER 🐐 (@NOTMARCOMILLER) November 21, 2024
You have no idea what a good Prime Minister Middleton was
— Josh 🍌 (@JoshiedNFT) November 21, 2024
The good news is that he is medically completely well. So it’s really more about fitness and being ready for the NBA.
It’s much better that he comes back fully ready than he loses shape and gets injured.
— Nintendo Prime (@NintyPrime) November 21, 2024
Over 11 seasons with the Bucks, Middleton averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 46/39/88 from the floor.
Middleton made three All-Star teams from 2019-2022, averaging 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
In the 2019-2020 season, he was 0.3 percentage points behind the infrequent 50/40/90 season. Middleton shot 49.7% from the floor, 41.5% from three and 91.6% from the free throw line.
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