Bucks star on track to return from ankle injury

Bucks forward Khris Middleton practiced with the team on Saturday and, barring a setback, is on track to make his return from a left ankle sprain on Sunday vs. the Suns, tweets Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

“Hopefully, nothing happens, knock on wood,” Middleton told reporters on Saturday. “But I expect to be playing tomorrow.”

After being limited to 33 games in 2022-23 due to wrist, knee, and ankle issues, Middleton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last June and was handled carefully to open the season, playing on a minutes restriction and getting the occasional day off.

The left ankle sprain is the latest ailment to impact Middleton, who has been sidelined since Feb. 6 as a result of the injury. In total, he has appeared in 43 games (all starts) this season, averaging 14.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .487/.378/.832.

If Middleton is able to get fully healthy and recapture the form that made him a three-time All-Star in 2019, 2020, and 2022, it would be a major boon for a Bucks team with championship aspirations. For now, Milwaukee would be happy to see him back on the court with no issues.