NBA Rumors: Khris Middleton out indefinitely for Bucks due to injury rehab | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is out indefinitely as he recovers from offseason ankle surgeries.

Charania reported on Tuesday NBA today that the Bucks “realized this was taking a lot longer than they expected.” Middleton has not yet resumed five-on-five play on the court.

The three-time All-Star had problems with each of his ankles during the 2023-24 season and used his free time over the summer to have arthroscopic surgeries. It was the third straight offseason in which he had to undergo surgery, having had a torn wrist ligament repaired in 2022 and relieving some knee pain in 2023.

There's no doubt the 33-year-old's absence played a role in Milwaukee's start. He would give the team another proven scorer and help the Bucks make three-pointers as they rank 13th in scoring average (13.0) and 13th in three-point percentage (35.4). 15th place.

However, getting Middleton back into the rotation and watching Milwaukee thrive isn't nearly as easy.

The Bucks rank 22nd in defensive rating (116.5) according to NBA.com and are sorely lacking the kind of presence they had on the edge with Jrue Holiday. The fact that they have the seventh-oldest squad in the NBA is also evident in how opposing guards are blown up by anyone that Milwaukee throws at them.

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell dropped 30 points in a 114-113 win over the Bucks last Saturday. Two nights later, Darius Garland scored 39 points and the Cavs won again, 116-114.

In short, turning around a 1-6 start will take more than just a healthy Middleton.