Report: Bucks' Middleton could return before All-Star break

The Milwaukee Bucks' playoff push may soon get an unexpected boost.

Khris Middleton, who was expected to miss six months after tearing his left hamstring in September, could return to the Bucks' lineup by mid-February, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

The Bucks believe Middleton could return before next month's All-Star break, Stein's sources claim, though the shooting guard will be on a minutes restriction when he gets back on the court.

The 25-year-old emerged as one of the game's best two-way swingmen last year, averaging 18.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, while shooting better than 39 percent from deep for the third straight season.

Middleton, who reportedly tore his hamstring completely off the bone only four months ago, would be a tremendous mid-season addition to a surprisingly competitive team led by budding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and breakout forward Jabari Parker.

After Wednesday's loss in Houston, the 20-21 Bucks sit in a virtual tie with Chicago for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot, though the Bulls are mere percentage points ahead, having won 48.83 percent of their games compared to 48.78 for Milwaukee.

Middleton is in the second year of a five-year, $70-million contract that should provide the Bucks incredible value (provided he stays healthy), given the skyrocketing salary cap.