Khris Middleton sidelined ‘for an indefinite period’ amid Milwaukee Bucks 1-6 start to the season, NBA insider reveals

Khris Middleton's prolonged recovery from ankle surgery leaves him out indefinitely, contributing to the Milwaukee Bucks' sluggish season start.

Khris Middleton sidelined ‘for an indefinite period’ amid Milwaukee Bucks 1-6 start to the season, NBA insider reveals

Khris Middleton expected to be out indefinitely

Milwaukee Bucks fans received disappointing news: star forward Khris Middleton remains out indefinitely after offseason ankle surgeries. Despite initial hopes for a quicker recovery, Middleton has yet to return to full five-on-five action, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

This setback has marked the third consecutive offseason with a surgical procedure for Khris Middleton, who had issues with both ankles during the 2023-24 season. Middleton’s absence has significantly impacted the Bucks, particularly in scoring and three-point shooting.

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Khris Middleton, his absence has been deafening for this team. He’s been out for an indefinite period of the time all season. It’s still uncertain when he’s going to be back… Team officials have recognized that this is taking much longer than they anticipated. There was an idea that maybe he was going to be back a couple of weeks ago, but he still has not been.

ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania said on SportsCenter

The Bucks’ defense has been a major concern, as they are ranked 22nd in defensive rating (116.5). They miss Jrue Holiday’s perimeter presence, and their aging roster (seventh-oldest in the NBA) has struggled terribly to keep up with opposing guards.

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Regardless of what happens if Middleton returns soon or not, the Bucks need to address their defensive woes and find a solution to contain opposing guards. While his eventual return may help, a lot still needs to be addressed.

Milwaukee Bucks struggle badly without the injured Khris Middleton

To some fans, the Milwaukee Bucks’ slow start to the season can be largely attributed to the absence of Khris Middleton. And despite having superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the team has struggled to replicate the chemistry they had with Middleton on the court.

Last season in the postseason, he averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, which highlights the impact he can have when healthy. However, even when Middleton returns, the odds are against the Bucks making a playoff run, as only 12 teams since 1970 have overcome a 1-6 or worse start to reach the postseason.

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The Bucks are currently on a six-game losing streak, with their last two losses coming by two points or fewer. While they have shown flashes of competitiveness, they have yet to secure a win since opening night and with rumors of an exit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, things are not going well at the Fiserv Forum.