Milwaukee Bucks: 5 observations from first 5 games of 2021-22 season
By Dalton Sell
Throughout the first five games of the 2021-22 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks have put together a 3-2 overall record.
There have been some highs, such as a thrilling opening night victory against the Brooklyn Nets, but also some lows, such as a 42 point loss to the Miami Heat. The Bucks are still looking to piece everything together, which has been a challenge, considering all the adversity they have faced this early in the season. Five games in, there is certainly nothing to panic about just yet, as everyone saw the Bucks get off to a slow start last season, and we all know how that turned out. With that being said, here are five observations from the team’s first five games of the 2021-22 season.
No. 1: Injuries have taken their toll on the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021-22
It is hard to evaluate the Bucks this early on because they have been bombarded by a handful of injuries to key pieces.
The most significant has been Jrue Holiday, who has missed time with a heel contusion and an ankle sprain. Holiday has appeared in just two of Milwaukee’s first five games, having played a total of 43 minutes. Obviously, the Bucks have missed the presence of their starting point guard. Without Holiday, the Bucks have been missing one of their three best players, leaving Milwaukee without a scorer, facilitator, and elite defender in the backcourt. This has forced the Bucks to start George Hill and give steady minutes to two-way guard Justin Robinson, a pairing that cannot make up the difference without Holiday.
Holiday is not the only starter that the Bucks are playing without, as Brook Lopez has also missed considerable time early on. Dealing with back soreness, Lopez has appeared in just one game this season. Replacing his presence has been challenging for the Bucks, especially considering that big man Bobby Portis has also missed significant time due to a hamstring injury. After missing the first four games of the season, Portis made his debut in Wednesday’s loss to Minnesota, and he showed some rust, understandably. It will take him a few games to get his legs back.
Other injured players include Donte DiVincenzo, Semi Ojeleye, and Rodney Hood. DiVincenzo is still dealing with his season-ending surgery from last year, and there is no timetable for his return. He will be a nice bench piece to bring in once he is back to full strength. Just like Portis, Ojeleye made his first 2021-22 appearance against the Timberwolves, but he struggled to make much of an impact. The same goes for Rodney Hood, who has appeared in the last two games after battling foot soreness early on, and he has struggled to find his footing.
The Bucks have been hit by the injury bug early, which has undoubtedly played a part in their early woes. At 3-2, the team has managed to stay afloat, but these injuries will continue to be an issue.