According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Khris Middleton will reportedly miss the Milwaukee Bucks’ season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Middleton underwent a pair of ankle surgeries in the offseason – arthroscopic clean-ups.

“Day by day, we’ll know as (he returns) gets closer,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Saturday. “Every day he doesn’t do anything, we’re obviously a little more concerned.”

Middleton, 33, played just 55 regular-season games in 2023-24, losing all six games of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. He sprained his left ankle on February 6 after landing on the foot of Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. That cost Middleton 16 games. He would injure his right ankle in Game 2 against the Pacers. Although he didn’t miss a single game, the team kept him out of practice.

Injuries have limited Middleton to just 88 regular-season games the past two seasons, and he hasn’t played more than 70 games in a full regular season since 2018-19.

The team was hopeful that the three-time All-Star forward would be ready for the start of the season, but given Middleton’s value to the Bucks – 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game last season – they opt for a cautious approach. his rehabilitation.

“We’re not just going to say ‘okay,’” Rivers said. “If he doesn’t go (opening night), we’ll wait until the next one. I’m really not worried about it. It’s a long season. Do I think he’ll play in Game 1? I hope so.” Still quite positive. If he doesn’t, will it ruin my year? No. I think he will be healthy soon and we will have him often.