Shams: Bucks' Khris Middleton Could Return from Ankle Injuries After Thanksgiving

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly getting closer to bringing back a key veteran to their lineup.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Tuesday's episode of NBA Today that Bucks forward Khris Middleton is on the verge of returning from his offseason ankle surgeries and the team is "hopeful that he's gonna be able to make his season debut at some point after Thanksgiving."

Charania noted that Middleton achieved a "critical step" in his recovery by completing full five-on-five scrimmages with the Bucks on Monday for the first time since undergoing bilateral ankle surgeries. The 33-year-old is reportedly taking extra time to ensure that he's at his best when he returns to the court.

"From what I'm told, he has been already cleared medically to play, but for him it's about comfort, getting on the floor when he's fully right and feels that he's gonna be able to make an impact like we know Khris Middleton can when he is fully healthy," Charania said.

After a slow start to the season, the Bucks have won four straight games to improve to 8-9 entering Tuesday's game against the Miami Heat. Getting Middleton back could help Milwaukee get on the right track and reestablish itself as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.

In 55 games last season, Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He was a serviceable No. 3 option behind the star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who lead the team this year with averages of 32.4 and 25.2 points per game, respectively. No other player on the team averages over 15 points.

The Bucks will host the Washington Wizards on Saturday before visiting the Detroit Pistons next Tuesday, so the team would likely target one of those games for Middleton's return.