It's been another tough season to date for Khris Middleton.
The three-time All-Star began the season on a minutes restriction as he recovered from offseason knee surgery. He appeared in 43 of a possible 51 games through early February, but he then suffered an ankle injury that has sidelined him for almost a month.
Middleton is Milwaukee's third-leading scorer on the season with 14.8 points per game, his lowest output since 2016-17. He's averaging 26.3 minutes per game, the third-lowest figure of his career.
As our Steph Noh recently wrote, the Bucks need Middleton to get back to his old self to win it all this season.
How much longer will the Bucks be without Middleton? Here's the latest on his ankle injury.
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What is Khris Middleton's injury?
Middleton is recovering from a left ankle sprain.
Middleton suffered the injury in Milwaukee's loss to Phoenix on Feb. 6. With 6:08 remaining in the first quarter, Middleton landed on the foot of Kevin Durant, causing his ankle to turn. He left the game and did not return.
Here's a video of Middleton's injury:
Middleton left the arena in a walking boot and crutches, per The Athletic's Eric Nehm.
How long is Khris Middleton out?
Middleton is expected to return against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, March 17, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
He's been sidelined with an ankle injury since Feb. 6 but will rejoin the lineup for the 2021 NBA Finals rematch.
Khris Middleton came down to speak with reporters after today's Bucks practice and confirmed that the plan is for him to play tomorrow vs. the Suns.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) March 16, 2024
"Hopefully, nothing happens, knock on wood. But I expect to be playing tomorrow." - Middleton
On March 4, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers told Nehm that Middleton hasn't suffered a setback in his recovery and that he is close to returning.
"Do we expect him on this trip? We're hoping, but again, if it's just not 100 percent for us, we're just not willing to push it right now," Rivers said. "There's no need to."
Middleton missed the Bucks' recent four-game road trip in which they went 1-3. Sunday's game against the Suns is the second of two home games before heading off to Boston.
Here is Milwaukee's upcoming schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| March 17 | vs. Suns | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| March 20 | at Celtics | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 21 | vs. Nets | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 24 | vs. Thunder | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| March 26 | vs. Lakers | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
Khris Middleton stats 2023-24
- 14.8 points per game
- 5.0 assists per game
- 4.3 rebounds per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 2.1 turnovers per game
- 48.7 percent field goal shooting
- 37.8 percent 3-point shooting
- 83.2 percent free throw shooting
