The Bucks have been missing a key piece to begin the 2022-23 season.
In July, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist, but it appears his return may be imminent.
Middleton last played for the Bucks in Game 2 of the opening round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, missing the final 10 games of Milwaukee's run with a sprained MCL. Without Middleton, the Bucks sputtered, ultimately losing in seven games to the eventual conference champion Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
What's next for Middleton? Here is everything we know about his injury and when he can return to the floor for the Bucks.
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What is Khris Middleton's injury?
According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps, Middleton underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist.
On Bucks Media Day, Middleton acknowledged that he suffered the injury at some point after the All-Star break in 2022 and played through it for the remainder of the season.
While it is unclear exactly when Middleton suffered the injury, he averaged 21.8 points on .453/.414/.907 shooting splits after the All-Star break. The injury is to Middleton's non-dominant wrist, which would explain why it had little-to-no impact on his production and efficiency.
Middleton was able to play through the wrist injury, but a sprained MCL suffered in Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs proved to be too much to play through.
How long will Khris Middleton be out?
At Media Day, Middleton told reporters that he wouldn't be ready to play on opening night, adding that he was optimistic he could return "sometime near the beginning of the season."
Ahead of Milwaukee's season opener on Oct. 20, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Middleton was expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season as his rehab continued.
On Nov. 30, Charania provided a major update, sharing that Middleton was nearing his season debut, which could come as soon as Dec. 2 vs. the Lakers.
Sources: Two notable injury updates:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 30, 2022
- Bucks star Khris Middleton is nearing his season debut, potentially as soon as Friday vs. Lakers.
- 76ers star James Harden is targeting return on current three-game road trip, likely in Houston on Monday.
Middleton has been sidelined for Milwaukee's hot start to the season, but the recent update suggests that one of the NBA's best teams is set to get even better.
Bucks schedule 2022-23
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Dec. 2 | vs. Lakers | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 3 | at Hornets | 6 p.m. | |
| Dec. 7 | vs. Kings | 8 p.m. | |
| Dec. 9 | at Mavericks | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
Khris Middleton career stats, highlights
- 17.1 points per game
- 4.9 rebounds per game
- 3.8 assists per game
- 1.2 steals per game
- 31.8 minutes per game
- 45.8 percent field goal shooting
- 39.2 percent 3-point field goal shooting
