Middleton ahead of schedule, could be back around All-Star break

The Milwaukee Bucks' strong young core could be getting a lot stronger in a month or so.

According to Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, Bucks shooting guard Khris Middleton could be ahead of schedule in his rehab for a ruptured left hamstring he suffered during training camp this past September. At or around the All-Star break is the goal for Middleton's camp as of now.

The injury was initially thought to be so severe that he would miss all of the 2016-2017 season, however, things are progressing sooner than they originally predicted.

"It's possible. That's if everything goes right, with no setbacks and a good, long stretch of practices," Middleton told Aschburner on Saturday. "Still a long way to go but I'm working towards it."

Middleton has recently started adding running to his workouts, after doing strength training and post-injury rehab sessions all along.

Middleton's prowess from beyond the arc will be a welcome addition to a Bucks team that is currently 23rd in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game, as well as attempts per game. A competitor in the 2016 NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout, Middleton brings a skill that will allow the team to space out more on offense freeing up the lane for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker.