Milwaukee Bucks: Player grades from 127-106 win over Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 10: (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 10: (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Bench

GEORGE HILL

Guard | Milwaukee Bucks
B+
This wasn’t

DONTE DIVINCENZO

Guard | Milwaukee Bucks
A+
A career-high 18 points for Donte DiVincenzo, who continue to looks completely rejuvenated since his rest in the recent home game against the Spurs. Donte’s shooting is consistently an issue, but he looked imperiously confident as he knocked down 4-of-6 from deep in this one. DiVincenzo’s defense was also on point as he created constant havoc for the Kings, coming up with three steals for good measure.

ROBIN LOPEZ

Center | Milwaukee Bucks
B-

PAT CONNAUGHTON

Guard | Milwaukee Bucks
D

KYLE KORVER

Wing | Milwaukee Bucks
C-

STERLING BROWN

Wing | Milwaukee Bucks
A+
Welcome back, Sterling Brown! It’s no exaggeration to say this may yet prove to be the most important performance of Brown’s career. Facing free agency in the offseason, Brown was out of the rotation and looked to be on the wrong side of Coach Bud. That changed on Saturday as, getting some emergency minutes as the Bucks inexplicably let the Kings take the lead in the third quarter, Brown came in and played with the kind of energy that cannot be ignored. In just 18 minutes, Brown ramped up the Bucks’ defense, compiled his first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and also dished out three assists. It seems safe to assume Sterling is back in the rotation.

D.J. WILSON

Forward | Milwaukee Bucks
INC.
Clean up minutes again for

THANASIS ANTETOKOUNMPO

Forward | Milwaukee Bucks
INC.

MIKE BUDENHOLZER

Head Coach | Milwaukee Bucks
A
Credit where it’s due for Budenholzer knowing when to go to Sterling Brown, and for managing his recent exodus from the rotation effectively in what will hopefully set up a resurgence over the second half of the season. Brown came out engaged and hungry, but very much still playing for the team. He had really looked awful for a sustained spell before falling out of the rotation, so let’s hope this is the first glimpse of some great man-management turning things around.