NBA Rumors: Bucks' Khris Middleton to Make Season Debut vs. Celtics After Injuries

Veteran forward Khris Middleton will make his 2024-25 season debut for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Boston Celtics on Friday, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Middleton began the season on the shelf after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on both of his ankles.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Nov. 20 that Middleton had already been cleared to return to action, but he was ramping up and waiting until he felt "physically ready" to play.

The 33-year-old Middleton is set to embark on his 13th NBA season, and he will join a Bucks team that is among the hottest in the NBA.

Following a highly disappointing 2-8 start, the Bucks have won nine of their past 11 games, putting them at 11-10 overall.

While the Bucks were expected to have a much better record than that out of the gates, it is good enough for fifth place in the top-heavy Eastern Conference.

Middleton is a three-time All-Star, and he was a key part of the Bucks' NBA championship-winning team in 2020-21 when he averaged 23.6 points per game in 23 playoff contests.

After averaging over 20 points per game in four out of five seasons from 2017-18 through 2021-22, Middleton's output has dropped off over the past couple of seasons.

In 2022-23, Middleton was limited to 33 games due to injury, and his 15.1 points per game were his fewest since 2016-17. He also shot a career-worst 43.6 percent from the field and 31.5 percent from beyond the arc, which was his worst mark since his rookie year.

Middleton averaged 15.1 points per game again last season, but he was far more efficient, shooting 49.3 percent from the floor and 38.1 percent from deep. He also was a bit healthier, but still appeared in only 55 games.

Although he may not quite be the same player he once was, Middleton could provide a significant spark to a Bucks team that is now hitting its stride.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting up MVP-caliber numbers for Milwaukee with 32.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, while guard Damian Lillard has also starred to the tune of 25.9 points and 7.5 assists per contest.

However, outside of that superstar duo, the Bucks haven't gotten much offensive production from the rest of the lineup.

The only other players on the roster averaging double figures in scoring this season are Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez, who are putting up 12.5 and 11.9 points per game, respectively.

It may take Middleton some time to get back in the swing of things, but once he settles in, he may prove to be the perfect No. 3 scoring option, which is something the Bucks desperately need in order to compete with the likes of the Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference.