Bucks champion Khris Middleton has undergone, not one, but two ankle surgeries over the summer, The Athletic reports.
Middleton “underwent two successful arthroscopic clean-up procedures to fix lingering issues this offseason, league sources tell The Athletic.
“Shortly after the playoffs, Middleton underwent surgery on his left ankle to address an issue that plagued him throughout this past season.”
The surgery was to clean up some of the lingering damage from a left ankle sprain the forward suffered in early February when he landed on Kevin Durant’s foot after attempting a jumper.
Middleton’s other surgery on his right ankle happened in mid-June and the outlet says he will be ready to go come October.
“Middleton was walking without pain or discomfort when he visited his teammates in Las Vegas for summer league action Saturday afternoon,” The Athletic said. “As far as a timeline for recovery, Middleton has already started light court work, league sources tell The Athletic, and he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season.”
Despite the ankle injuries on both feet, Middleton still contributed positively to the Bucks postseaosn campaign, averaging 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 38.3 minutes in six games against the Pacers in the first round.
He even put a 42-point game in Game 3.
The 32-year-old had to put the team on his back in that first round, since Giannis Antetokounmpo was out for the playoffs with a calf injury and Damian Lillard had a lingering right Achilles strain.
No doubt those three players will be vital to the Bucks’ success this coming season.
Middleton has been somewhat plagued by injuries in recent seasons.
He played just 55 games for Milwaukee in 2023-24 while on a minutes restriction for the first half of the season.
The year before, he took the court on only 33 occasions as he recovered from a left wrist surgery, plus knee issues and his left ankle.
Here’s hoping he can stay healthy.
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