Gut-wrenching losses have been the theme for the Milwaukee Bucks to begin this season, but they came away with a much-needed win on Monday, thanks to a late shot from Damian Lillard to take a 101-100 win over the high-flying Houston Rockets.
It was a wild game, with both teams taking turns holding big leads before letting their opponents right back into the game. We’ve slowly seen the integration of the younger wings into the Bucks’ rotation, but this was a prominent step in what has been an overdue change many fans wanted to see.
This time, it was the Bucks on the right side of the scoreboard, in large part because of one decision made by Doc Rivers. Hopefully, that overdue decision is more permanent moving forward with the Bucks attempting to rise up the Eastern Conference standings from their 12th-seeded position.
Pat Connaughton did not factor into the Bucks’ win over Rockets
Perhaps no Bucks player has been more impressive outside of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo than AJ Green, who went from being a two-way player in 2022-23 to now serving as a key rotation piece or starter depending on the night. The former Northern Iowa guard has caught attention thanks to his sharpshooting and stats surrounding his number of 3-point shots, but he’s grown into a real defender and had Houston’s Jalen Green locked up at times in this last game.
AJ Green was one of many who took on the former No.2 overall pick defensively, and despite him finishing with 21 points, he shot an ugly 9-for-24 (37.5 percent) and that was partially down to the Bucks’ Green.
On the night, the Bucks guard held his opponents to 5-for-14 (35.7 percent) shooting from the field, and to two turnovers courtesy of some tough defense. Green didn’t have a great shooting night of his own, making just one 3-pointer and shooting 2-for-6 (33.3 percent) overall, but if he keeps growing as a defender, he will be a key piece moving forward for this Milwaukee Bucks team.
Early on this season, Gary Trent Jr. struggled, but having spent some time out of the lineup, it really does seem like he is slowly finding his flow again. He is a sparkplug off the bench much better than when he was a starter.
He had 12 points, all via the 3-ball. He shot 4-for-8 on the night. In 24 minutes off the bench, he also added a steal and forced two turnovers, along with holding opponents to 3-for-9 (33.3 percent) shooting when guarded by him. Fred VanVleet struggled when guarded by Trent, making just one of his five shots as the former Raptors guards took each other on.
Vet guard Pat Connaughton has had a hard time impacting games this season, but Rivers was counting on his experience to help the team. He did not play against Houston because of Rivers’ decision, and it seems like the move that was overdue-seeing Green and Trent take those minutes-is finally starting to come into place.
Andre Jackson Jr. started and only played four minutes in the first quarter and the final possession at the end of the game. That was not a lot of court time, but still, Doc Rivers clearly felt he could have a greater impact than Connaughton.
As teams find out where they are at and who may be available via trade, rumors continue circling. Pat Connaughton could be a player the Bucks look to move on with his $9.4 million salary being one of the bigger and more expendable contracts Milwaukee could move.
The Bucks remain 5-9, but things are slowly starting to click together, and the wins are now coming. Rivers is now integrating the younger players into the rotation, and it has been nothing but positive for Milwaukee so far. It will be interesting to see if Connaughton remains out of the lineup.
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