Bucks' Khris Middleton won't be available for opening night due to wrist injury

Middleton may not be ready for the start of the season. Both Middleton and general manager Jon Horst made comments that Middleton will be on the court for opening night. Horst said Middleton is expected back “early in our season,” per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. Middleton commented on his status saying that he hopes it is “closer to the start of the season.” Both of these comments do not blatantly say that Middleton will be out but strongly hint toward it.

This is not the same injury that kept Middleton out of the series against Boston during last year’s playoff run. That injury was a knee while this is his wrist. He played through the injury and then had offseason surgery to repair the damage. He has been in a cast for most of the offseason and just got it off a couple of weeks ago. It will take Middleton some time to get the full range of motion and be able to play an NBA basketball game.

The hope is that he suffers no setbacks and will be on the court soon. Even if Middleton misses time, the Bucks have enough talent on the roster to survive without Middleton. Last year, they almost beat the Eastern Conference champions without him. The goal for the Bucks should be to make sure that Middleton is completely healthy before coming back. They need him for the playoff push.