Grayson Allen has found his calling with the Milwaukee Bucks

After the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls 119-95 in Game 4 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, most of the praise (and boos) seemed to be directed toward Grayson Allen on an early afternoon in the Windy City.

Allen, who dropped 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 5-of-7 from 3-point range in Game 3, followed an outstanding performance with an even better outing in Game 4. The fourth-year sharpshooter tallied a playoff career-high 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting and 6-of-7 from beyond the arc while coming off the bench to help propel the Bucks to another statement win in Chicago.

On a memorable afternoon for the 26-year-old, Grayson Allen became the first Buck in franchise history to record at least five threes in consecutive playoff games. He’s stepped up significantly since All-Star Khris Middleton went down with an MCL sprain in his right knee, and he’s suddenly become Chicago’s worst nightmare.

In the last two games away from Milwaukee, Allen has notched 49 points while shooting 75.0 percent from the floor and 78.6 percent from 3-point territory. Just when the Bucks needed an offensive boost this postseason, Grayson Allen has delivered.

As the Milwaukee Bucks take a 3-1 series lead over the Chicago Bulls, Grayson Allen appears to be finding his calling with the team.

Throughout this season, Grayson Allen has had his fair share of inconsistencies, but he’s evidently found his rhythm as of late. In his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks, he’s been labeled as an ideal fit within head coach Mike Budenholzer’s system and it’s starting to show profusely on the big stage now.

Ever since general manager Jon Horst acquired Allen from the Memphis Grizzlies for Sam Merrill and two future second round picks last offseason, the Bucks have been excited about Allen’s scoring and athletic abilities. The former Duke standout was in the Bucks’ starting lineup for the majority of the regular season and despite moving to the bench for the postseason, he’s still maximizing his role as more than just a flamethrower off the bench.

Last year during Milwaukee’s title run, Bryn Forbes made an impactful difference off the bench, but he was only a sharpshooter and a perimeter threat offensively. While Grayson Allen is an exceptional 3-point shooter, he can also score from all angles, beat you off the dribble, penetrate as a playmaker, leap out of the gym, and defend at a higher level.

Bench production, especially offensively, has been one of the main keys to success for the Bucks in recent times. Milwaukee will never forget when Forbes outscored Jimmy Butler in the first-round sweep of the Heat last season, and now Allen is making his presence felt in a similar way as he’s outscored Chicago’s leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, by 15 points in the last two games.

It’s relishing to see Grayson Allen thriving under the spotlight. As he gets more and more comfortable with his role and teammates, it looks like Allen has found his calling with the Bucks and ultimately, a permanent home in Milwaukee. The Bucks know how to utilize Allen to maximize his impact on the court, and now that they’re giving him more opportunities to showcase his talents with Khris Middleton expected to miss multiple weeks, his responsibilities will keep growing.

Milwaukee has used Allen in Middleton’s spots since he’s been inactive, and it’s no coincidence that he’s been putting up Middleton-like numbers in his place. Allen is in fact, a complementary piece to the Bucks and it has clearly been beneficial to have him in an elevated role at the moment.

During the Game 4 postgame press conference, here’s what two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had to say about why Grayson Allen has been such a great fit with the Bucks:

"“He’s humble, he’s hungry. Plays with a chip on his shoulder, plays hard every single night, defensively and offensively. No matter how the game goes, we keep him accountable. He keeps us accountable. He knows that we need him and he’s a great player. He wants the ball, he wants to be the guy that’s going to make shots, that’s going to make plays. He’s not scared to make plays. He fits really well with us.”"

While Grayson Allen continues to find his hot hand, he’s finding his purpose with the defending champions as well. Allen’s emerging, impactful, and efficient role has ignited the Milwaukee Bucks one step closer to eliminating the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA Playoffs and within a shorter distance of the ultimate goal of defending the title.