NBA: Bucks vet Khris Middleton to miss opener

FILE–Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton during the first half of Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Bucks star Khris Middleton is expected to miss Milwaukee’s NBA season opener Wednesday against the host Philadelphia 76ers as he continues to rehab from ankle injuries, ESPN reported Monday.

The most Middleton has been cleared to do so far is participate in 3-on-3 scrimmages, but he’s been limited in practice since Wednesday, Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers told reporters Saturday.

READ: NBA: Khris Middleton joins Giannis on Bucks’ injured players list

Middleton, a three-time All-Star, underwent arthroscopic surgery on both ankles during the offseason. Middleton sprained the left ankle in a game in February and the right one in the Bucks’ first-round playoff defeat against the Indiana Pacers.

Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 2023-24.

READ: NBA: Khris Middleton remains with Bucks on 3-year, $102 million deal

Through 12 seasons, Middleton has career averages of 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 739 games (650 starts) with the Detroit Pistons (2012-13) and Bucks.

Detroit drafted Middleton in the second round (39th overall) in 2012. Traded to Milwaukee in July 2013, he helped the Bucks win the NBA championship in 2020-21. –Field Level Media