Milwaukee forward Khris Middleton made his season debut on Friday after missing the Bucks’ first 21 games due to offseason surgeries on both ankles. Middleton stepped onto the court midway through the first quarter during a challenging matchup against the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, which resulted in a 111-105 loss for the Bucks.
Coach Doc Rivers noted that Middleton would be on a minutes restriction, and the three-time All-Star recorded 11 points, three rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal in 23 minutes of play. Middleton has faced significant injury challenges over the past two seasons, appearing in only 33 games in 2022-23 and 55 games in the prior season.
Reflecting on his return, Middleton expressed the importance of being mentally prepared for the long season ahead. “I wanted to make sure I was all the way ready to come back, be as fresh as I can mentally,” he said, acknowledging that the journey would come with its physical challenges.
This game marked a significant moment as it was only the ninth opportunity for Rivers to coach the All-Star trio of Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Damian Lillard together. Rivers emphasized the value of having their key players on the court together to improve team chemistry and performance. “The more games you have them, the better,” said Rivers.
Despite a rough start to the season, with the Bucks having opened at 2-8, the team has shown resilience by winning nine out of their last eleven games leading up to this match against Boston. The optimism surrounding Middleton’s return has been echoed by Rivers and Bucks general manager Jon Horst, who had hoped Middleton wouldn’t miss significant time due to his recovery process.
While it will take some time for Middleton to re-integrate fully into the team after such a lengthy absence, there is a clear sense of hope for the Bucks as they look to build on recent successes. Middleton, when healthy, adds significant value to the team, demonstrated by his strong performances in previous seasons. Fans and players alike are hopeful that his return will energize the team and contribute to a successful season ahead.
In summary, Middleton’s return is not only a personal victory for him but potentially a turning point for the Bucks as they aim to climb further up the standings in this competitive season.