Just one month after his hip surgery, Jason Kidd is set to return to the Milwaukee Bucks bench this coming week.

Coach Kidd underwent an operation on December 21st to repair a chronic hip injury and rejoined the team on a part-time basis in early January. On Thursday, one month to the day of his surgery, Jason announced in a statement released by the Bucks that he’ll resume his normal head coaching duties starting on Monday in preparation for a return to the sidelines on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

“I feel great after surgery and am looking forward to getting back on the sidelines full-time next week. I received a good report from my doctor last week in New York and I am ahead of schedule on my recovery,” Jason said. “Provided everything continues to go well this week, I plan on being back to my normal duties on Monday.”

Portland Trail Blazers v Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks will host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, in what looks likely to be Jason’s first game back since December 20.

Assistant coach Joe Prunty will remain the acting head coach through the weekend, where the Bucks will close out a four-game road trip with a back-to-back Friday against the Houston Rockets and Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Milwaukee has gone 8-7 with Coach Kidd out, but the team has found its way of late. Led by Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo the Bucks have been outstanding in recent games, with the two powering the team on a three-game win streak.

“Joe (Prunty) and the rest of the coaching staff along with the players have done a very good job in my absence and I’m grateful for all of their efforts,” J-Kidd said. “We’re all looking forward to continued improvement during the second half of our season.”

The Bucks are right in the middle of a muddled Eastern Conference playoff race. They currently sit in 13th place, but are just five games behind the Indiana Pacers, who reside all the way up in fifth place. Milwaukee is currently just 3.5 games out of the final playoff spot.

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS – JAN. 22

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-11)
  2. Toronto Raptors (27-15) – 3.5 GB
  3. Atlanta Hawks (26-18) – 5.5 GB
  4. Chicago Bulls (24-17) – 6 GB
  5. Indiana Pacers (23-19) – 7.5 GB
  6. Detroit Pistons (23-20) – 8 GB
  7. Miami Heat (23-20) – 8 GB
  8. Boston Celtics (22-21) – 9 GB
  9. New York Knicks (22-22) – 9.5 GB
  10. Washington Wizards (20-21) – 10 GB
  11. Orlando Magic (20-21) – 10 GB
  12. Charlotte Hornets (19-23) – 11.5 GB
  13. Milwaukee Bucks (19-25) – 12.5 GB
  14. Brooklyn Nets (11-32) – 20 GB
  15. Philadelphia 76ers (6-38) – 25.5 GB

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