Milwaukee Bucks fans have finally got some long-awaited news about injured players.
After weeks of frustrating silence, the team has finally provided some reports about Khris Middleton and Ryan Rollins, who, even though not on the same level, could hopefully help the team keep the ball rolling amid a 4-1 stretch. Yet, the reports aren't necessarily what everybody was waiting for.
Bucks' Khris Middleton is ready... kind of
Khris Middleton's situation has been quite weird from the beginning. He was supposed to be ready for opening night after undergoing offseason surgeries. Then Bucks said he would still need a while to get on the court, but it didn't look like it was much time. Then, suddenly, the updates just stopped.
This silence started worrying some fans, who complained about the lack of transparency, especially after some reports said he wasn't ready to play 5-on-5 yet.
However, fans finally got some news about the forward, but it also feels a bit strange. ESPN insider Shams Charania reports that Middleton has been medically cleared for a period of time now, adding that he's still working to feel physically ready for his season debut, though. This news generated polarizing opinions among the fanbase.
Some thought this was good news since it meant Middleton hadn't aggravated the injury and was just conditioning himself. Last year, he started the regular season with a heavy minute restriction. He doesn't want to go down that road again, it seems, so he's working on it and will be back on the court when he feels ready.
Doc Rivers' statement seems to reinforce that idea, as he said, "He's looked good. He's working his butt off. I think he's close. And he's just going to keep working. This is the best I've seen him, I will say that."
On the other hand, some fans felt confused about the report, saying that him not playing even after being medically cleared just adds more uncertainty to the team's environment. Others went even further, blaming Khris Middleton for playing it too slow when the team needs him.
The truth is we don't know enough to judge the situation right now, and we probably won't until he's playing again.
Ryan Rollins may end up playing through injury
Similar to Middleton, Ryan Rollins' injury seems to be more complicated than it initially looked. He had to leave the game against Toronto with a hurt shoulder, but he was expected to be back almost immediately. He is still out of the lineup, but that could change soon.
According to The Athletic's Eric Nehm, Doc Rivers said Rollins is in a tough spot right now, since this kind of injury leaves him nothing but two options: playing through it or having surgery. And since the latter means Rollins would need to stay out for a while when he was about to become a part of the rotation, he's most likely trying to play.
"I think he's going to give a go", Rivers said. "Not today (meaning the Bulls game), but soon".
As a two-way contract player, nobody expected Rollins to make a huge impact on the court despite his impressive performance in the Summer League, but he was starting to look like a solid player before this injury.
He was shooting great from three, going 6-f-11 on the season, and showing glimpses of great defense and playmaking, which made Rivers play him over Delon Wright. Rivers even made him a starter when Damian Lillard was in the NBA's concussion protocol.
This makes the timing of the injury atrocious, not only for the Milwaukee Bucks but also for him, since he seemed on the verge of making a leap and getting a regular contract at some point this season. Now, this goal gets harder for him since he's going to have to do it while injured.
Only time will tell when the Milwaukee Bucks may get these two back on the floor.