The Milwaukee Bucks have lost last season's leading scorer, Khris Middleton, one month before the new NBA season begins.

Swing man Middleton, who led the Bucks a year ago with 18.2 points per game, tore his hamstring on Wednesday.

Middleton, 25, will need surgery and will miss at least six months.

"We’re obviously disappointed for Khris and our team, but injuries are an unfortunate part of the game," Bucks general manager John Hammond said in a statement.

"We’ll rely on our overall roster depth to help us while Khris is out for a significant period of the season."

The Bucks were counting on Middleton, who also averaged 4.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 36 minutes per game last season.

The Bucks have young stars in Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo and were hoping to make a postseason run after missing the playoffs last season.

Without Middleton, that will be even more difficult.

The Bucks' preseason schedule begins on October 3 against the Chicago Bulls with the regular-season opener later that month at the Bradley Center against the Charlotte Hornets.