Khris Middleton’s left knee’s damaged MCL took him out of the playoffs, but it was a late-season ruptured scapholunate ligament in his left wrist that necessitated surgery.
Whether Khris Middleton will play in the Bucks’ season opening is unknown
Khris Middleton wants to play when the Bucks begin their season Thursday in Philadelphia, but the team’s medical staff will probably make that choice for him. Middleton’s left knee’s damaged MCL took him out of the playoffs, but it was a late-season ruptured scapholunate ligament in his left wrist that necessitated surgery.
After his first full offseason since 2019, Middleton said his legs feel rested, but he’s unsure if he’ll be granted a medical pass to play in the Bucks’ season opening against Philadelphia on Thursday.
“I would like to, but I’ve learned in the past to trust my training staff and doctors,” he said. “They know what they’re doing. This is my first time going through this and they’ve been through it many a times and they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. So I’ve learned just listen to ‘em. I mean, you can push yourself, but don’t really.”
“I think everybody knows that,” he said. “Even though I know you’re really not supposed to say it for all the reasons out there, but I think everybody knows deep down that I want to stay. But also, you know it’s a business. Things change, things happen. You just never know. For sure I would love to stay. If everything works out … Of course if they give me whatever I want I’m there! I’m there.”
Middleton is beginning his tenth season in Milwaukee, and at some time, his future with the team will be a hot topic. Although he confesses that remaining with the Bucks is his first choice, he hasn’t made up his mind about what to do with his $40.4M player option for the upcoming season.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged the team’s 0-5 preseason record shows there are areas that need development, but coach Mike Budenholzer downplayed any worries about them: “Right now, I feel like we’re not vocal enough,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’re not urgent enough. We’re not hungry enough. But at the end of the day, it’s the preseason. We have the whole regular season to find ourselves.”
Nehm tweets that the Bucks have some health issues going into the regular season. Due to a calf injury, Pat Connaughton is “going to be a little bit,” according to Budenholzer. Due to Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s non-COVID illness, the team is hopeful that Wesley Matthews will be able to play on Monday.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Budenholzer’s revamped defensive plan may be the cause of the preseason troubles. The Bucks are focusing more on attempting to keep their opponents from making three-pointers. “I think it’s about finding that balance,” Brook Lopez said. “I don’t think it’s for lack of trying or anything like that. We’re figuring things out, and that’s what these preseason games are for, and I think we’re confident of the team we’re capable of being.”
