Khris Middleton was reportedly not available for 5-on-5 when the Bucks opened training camp.

The latest report from Milwaukee is both unsurprising and concerning.

Khris Middleton, who underwent offseason surgery on both ankles, will not be fully cleared for 5-on-5 action as the Bucks open training camp this week, Chris Haynes reports.

This report is vague and it’s entirely possible that Middleton will be ready to go at the start of the season, although as Haynes noted, Milwaukee will be cautious about his return.

Middleton, at 33 and with those surgeries, is one of the reasons the Bucks championship was achieved the window seems to be closing – this is a must-win season. Last season, Middleton averaged 15.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, often slowed by ankle problems that limited him to 55 games and led to offseason surgery. Milwaukee needs him to get closer to his 2022 All-Star form to make a run this year and serve as the third shot-maker in Doc Rivers’ system.

It could happen, maybe not at the beginning of the season, but it could happen. However, the Bucks are a team worth keeping an eye on. How will they react when they stumble out of the gate and the pressure mounts? Milwaukee can still be a title contender under Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they have no room for error. Everything has to come together just right for the Bucks – including Middleton returning to All-Star form.