Khris Middleton is nearing his long-awaited season debut for the Bucks, following offseason surgeries on both ankles. Middleton, who has been out since the start of the season, recently participated in five-on-five scrimmages—one of the final steps in his recovery process!

According to Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, the 33-year-old forward has been “looking good” and is “close” to returning. While Khris Middleton has been medically cleared, he is ensuring he is physically and mentally ready before stepping back onto the court.

That, however, is old news in light of NBA on TNT reporter Stephanie Ready’s latest update. Reporting straight from the Bucks vs Heat tonight, Ready revealed her chat with Doc and the projected timeline for Middleton’s return.

“Some better good news for the Milwaukee Bucks is Khris Middleton. He is not back yet tonight. But he has been cleared and, in fact, yesterday did some 5-on-5 full court, which is great news. So, Doc Rivers told me that he is expecting, within a week, hopefully, is what they are projecting for Khris Middleton’s return.”

Milwaukee, currently 8-9, hopes that the 3x All-Star’s presence will provide a much-needed boost to the team. Although they are on a four-game winning streak, Giannis Antetokounmpo & Co. had struggled early in the season. The ‘Greek Freak,’ for his part, has also been sidelined tonight with a left knee injury!

According to Ready, Giannis Antetokounmpo was going to be a game-time decision, anyway.

However, “the key is he was fine this morning at shoot around, which was good news. They thought there was maybe a chance that he would play.” Unfortunately, the final decision was to sit him out. With the 2x MVP out, the pressure is on Damian Lillard to keep the team competitive.

With a Khris Middleton return finally looking more realistic, Damian Lillard finds himself in the hot seat tonight

The NBATV host also noted that the team has great hopes for Dame to “get downhill and make things happen in the paint.” Ready pointed out how the Bucks are relying on his ability to stretch defenses with his exceptional shooting range and driving ability.

Lillard’s deep shooting, in particular, forces defenders to make tough decisions—either pick him up way beyond the three-point line or risk giving him space to score. This not only impacts the defense, but also opens up opportunities for his teammates. And with Giannis sidelined, there is no doubt that the ‘Cream City’ is looking to the 8x All-Star to take charge.

But even with Damian Lillard stepping up, the Bucks will need a complete lineup to reach their potential. And Khris Middleton might just be the answer to that. He was a critical component of the team’s 2021 championship. The 6’7 forward’s perimeter defense and jump shooting were the perfect complementing factor to Giannis’ and the defensive prowess of the now-Celt, Jrue Holiday.

Beyond the ring, Khris Middleton also added an Olympic gold medal to his resume that summer in Tokyo. As such, the hoopster’s return could restore the balance and versatility that made Milwaukee title contenders in the first place. With Middleton’s recovery near its end, the hope is that his presence will elevate the team, essentially providing the spark to complement Lillard’s leadership.

It will be a full-circle moment for the Bucks as they aim for another championship run.