The Milwaukee Bucks received some tough news regarding one of their key contributors today. First reported by ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Pat Connaughton is set to undergo surgery tomorrow to fix a fractured fourth metacarpal on his right hand, which he suffered in Milwaukee’s loss to the Phoenix Suns this past Thursday. While Wojnarowski did not give a potential timetable for Connaughton’s return, he noted that the guard is expected to return before the regular season concludes.
Reactions to Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton undergoing surgery
Losing Connaughton will clearly be a sizeable blow for the Bucks. After a masterful playoff run last season, the veteran guard was in the middle of a career year by averaging 10.1 points while hitting 46.7 percent of his field goals and 40.7 percent of his 3-pointers on a career-high 5.7 attempts per game. In addition to the spark he provided offensively, Connaughton was a key piece to this Bucks’ defense due to his versatility, being able to match up against various positions when called upon. Whether he was coming off the bench or filling in as a starter, Connaughton was a vital part of the Bucks’ rotation this season, and replacing his production and presence will not be easy.
In addition to Connaughton, the Bucks are also dealing with an injury to second unit point guard George Hill, which has caused him to be sidelined for the last few games. Donte DiVincenzo and Rodney Hood were both moved at the trade deadline, leaving the team incredibly short on bench guards to utilize right now. With several roster spots vacant following the Serge Ibaka trade, the Bucks are set to be “aggressive” in their pursuit of Goran Dragić once he is bought out early next week, as noted in a separate tweet from Wojnarowski. Dragić would be a significant pickup as the Bucks deal with these issues, and he would certainly have a legitimate opportunity on a team competing at the forefront of a championship.
It stings knowing that the Bucks will be without Connaughton for quite some time as he recovers, but it is welcoming to hear that he is expected to return this season. If the guard is indeed ready to get back on the hardwood before the playoffs begin, it would be a sizeable boost as the defending champs look to repeat. In addition to Connaughton, Milwaukee is also waiting on starting center Brook Lopez, who has been out of the lineup for all but one game this season with back issues, having undergone a procedure in early December. Thankfully, he is also expected to return before the postseason. Getting these two integral pieces back for the playoffs could be the perfect boost that this Milwaukee team needs.
For now, the Bucks will have to work with what they have or look to bring in some outside pieces to stay afloat without Connaughton. Their pursuit of Dragić will certainly be something to keep an eye on over the next several days, as the Bucks are seriously lacking bodies at the guard position at this point in time. Stay tuned for any breaking updates on that front.
Get well soon, Pat!