Yahoo Sports: Breaking News and Scores from the World of Sports

When the Bucks started the season with a 2-8 record, the team remained calm and focused, citing the absence of Khris Middleton as a key factor. The former All-Star forward underwent surgery on both ankles during the summer and has yet to make his season debut for the team.

However, he has been medically cleared and is ramping up to come back,

Shams Charania reports at ESPN

Here is today's exchange with Bucks coach Doc Rivers in regards to the latest on Khris Middleton: pic.twitter.com/dqER6qMTNA

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) November 20, 2024

That is no timeline, but it sounds like Middleton is nearing a return, which would be good for the Bucks' offense, it could use another shot creator. That said, there is no rush partly because the Bucks have been getting solid play on the wings of A.J. Green, Gary Trent Jr. and Andre Jaxson.

Two seasons ago when healthy enough to play 66 games, Middleton was an All-Star who averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 assists and 5.4 rebounds a game, plus played solid defense. The questions around him have been whether he can ever get healthy enough again to play at that level, last season he averaged 15.1 points a game in 55 games.

The Bucks have used a soft spot in the schedule and inspired play from Giannis Antetokounmpo to win 4-of-5 and start to right the ship (there was a quality win against Houston in that mix). That relatively soft schedule continues for a couple more weeks, which is time for both the Bucks to get right and to work Middleton back into the rotation before the harder tests start up again. Still, there is no timeline for when Middleton will feel comfortable enough to retake the court.