Bucks Zone

INJURY REPORT: No timetable for Khris Middleton’s return yet

Khris sprained his ankle on February 6th.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

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Milwaukee Bucks

After stumbling before the All-Star break, the Milwaukee Bucks are hard-pressed to start playing better once the second half of the season starts a few days from now. The problem is that the availability of one of their key players remains uncertain.

Road to full recovery hits snag

The return of Khris Middleton remains uncertain after he went down with an ankle injury in a 106-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns on February 6th. Khris left in the first quarter after he stepped on Kevin Durant’s foot after attempting a jump shot.

Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said then that X-rays were negative and said Khris is “just going to be out for a minute.”

A few days later, Rivers announced that Khris had a bad ankle sprain and didn't have a timetable for his return. The injury was unfortunate as Middleton was working his way back to full recovery after undergoing a knee procedure during the summer.

Khris turning inefficient numbers

Under a minutes restriction, Khris has already played 43 games this season, averaging 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 26.3 minutes of playing time per game. In the 13 games that Middleton did not play, the Bucks went 8-5. In Milwaukee’s last six games without Khris, it went 2-4.

The Bucks have been closely monitoring Khris’ playing this season and have not even played him on back-to-backs.

Showing his value for the team, Middleton was a starter in all the 43 games in which he's played. He has been efficient when available, shooting 49% from the field and 38% from three-point range. 

That’s why the possibility of not having Khris start the second of the season could be crucial for a Bucks team that badly needs to start picking up wins.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.