Khris Middleton will reportedly miss the Bucks' season opener against the 76ers

Khris Middleton will reportedly miss the Milwaukee Bucks' season opener on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Middleton underwent two ankle surgeries — arthroscopic cleansings — in the offseason.

“One day at a time and we will know [him returning] is getting closer,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Saturday. “Every day that he doesn’t do anything, we obviously worry a little more.”

Middleton, 33, played in just 55 regular-season games during the 2023-24 season and all six games of the Bucks' first-round playoff series loss to the Indiana Pacers. He sprained his left ankle on February 6 after landing on the foot of the Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant. That cost Middleton 16 games. He injured his right ankle in the second game against the Pacers. Although he never missed a game, the team kept him away from practice.

Injuries limited Middleton to just 88 regular-season games over the last two seasons, and he hasn't played more than 70 games in a full regular season since 2018-19.

The team was confident the three-time All-Star forward would be ready to start the season, but given Middleton's value to the Bucks – 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game last season – approach his rehab with caution.

“We're not going to just say 'All right,'” Rivers said. “If he doesn’t go [opening night] then we wait until the next one. I'm really not worried. It's a long season. Do I think he will play in Game 1? I hope. It's still pretty positive there. If he doesn't, will it ruin my year? No. I think he will be healthy soon and we will have him often. So I'm not too worried about it.