It's been a turbulent season for Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton.
After undergoing offseason surgery on both ankles, he missed the first portion of the NBA season, and upon returning, it's been a slow climb for him. Just when it seemed like Middleton was starting to get comfortable as a member of the starting lineup once again after starting the year as a reserve, a troubling update on his current injury status hit.
Khris Middleton's ankles are still a lingering issue for the Bucks
Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, Middleton will be sidelined for Milwaukee's Monday matchup with the Toronto Raptors due to ankle tendinitis. With any injury, tendinitis is not a great sign, as it can linger. An update like this is fear-inducing because it means this could be a long-term issue for Middleton, which the Milwaukee Bucks certainly do not need in what has been such an up-and-down season.
Chemistry has been an issue for the Milwaukee Bucks dating back to last season, and it has largely revolved around the team not having all three stars on the floor simultaneously. Depending on how severe this tendinitis is, this issue could continue into the later stretch of the 2024-25 season. For a team that is 17-16 and is struggling to mesh, this is undeniably a tough blow.
Whether it's one game, five games or however many games, the Milwaukee Bucks will need to rely on their depth in Middleton's absence. This should be an opportunity for Gary Trent Jr. to find his footing on offense, while AJ Green could also benefit from getting more looks. Someone will have to pick up the scoring and facilitating load in Khris Middleton's absence.
The past few years have just been a sad story for Khris Middleton, who has been bothered by injury after injury. Since his undeniable heroics in the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 title run, Middleton has been hindered by countless freak injuries. He's shown that he can still be that clutch bucket-getter when it counts, but the injuries have held him back from being able to display it consistently.
Let's hope the NBA champion finds a way to find a way through this latest obstacle and that is is not a long-term issue.
For now, a troubling season for the Milwaukee Bucks continues with a gut-punch of an injury update, but there is surely more to this story. When he speaks to the media, Doc Rivers will likely provide some sort of insight on the situation, at least hopefully.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.