Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers: Star Players Confirmed Out for 2024-2025 Opener; Khris Middle Injury Shrouded in Mystery

The excitement felt Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers fans over their opening games have dwindled after news of injury to key players.

The Bucks has confirmed that Khris Middleton will be out for their first game of the 2024-2025 season as he is set to be subjected to a series of rehab for the ankle surgeries he underwent to during the offseason. Middleton, who is the third guy in Bucks’ Big 3 together with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, did not play in any pre-season games.

NBA Insider Shams Charania said the team is “cautiously progressing Middleton toward a return.”

Over at Philadelphia, newest member Paul George will also miss the opener after suffering a bone bruise  against the Atlanta Hawk last October 14.

“I’ll be back strong and better than ever. It wasn’t nothing major or no concern. I didn’t damage a ligament. I didn’t damage a tendon. It was literally just bone on bone bruising from an hyperextension. Ima be good. I should be back, hopefully, sooner than later, but it won’t be a long timetable,” he told Sixers Wire.

Khris Middleton injury confuses Milwaukee Bucks fans

While PG’s injury update has the Sixers fans pacified, Bucks supporters are getting confused over the real status of Middleton.

Head coach Doc Rivers earlier suggested that K-Midd is getting close to a return after saying he is already doing stuff.

“I’m really not concerned. It’s a long season. Do I think he’ll play in Game 1? I’m hoping. Still pretty positive there. If he doesn’t, does it ruin my year? No. I think he’ll be healthy soon and we’ll have him a lot, so I’m not that concerned about it,” he told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.

Things changed on Monday when he told the same reporter that Middleton is yet to play 5-on-5.

The Bucks have been dealing with injuries to key players since their 2021 NBA title run, including losing two consecutive seasons in the first round.