3 takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ preseason loss to the Bulls

Jordan Nwora continues to thrive in more significant roles for the Milwaukee Bucks

Jordan Nwora had a very odd year last year. Nwora mostly underperformed, considering what was expected of him before the season. The bizarre thing about Nwora’s season is that he seemed to thrive whenever Budenholzer pushed him into more significant roles for the team.

Nwora was given the start tonight and again gave us a solid performance. He finished the game with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. He showed us the potential we already knew he had as a scorer by shooting 9-17 from the field and 4-9 from three.

The key to unlocking Jordan Nwora must be to give him more minutes than usual. Last season, Nwora was much better for the Bucks in games he started than in his regular bench role.

As a starter, Nwora averaged 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three. Off the bench, those numbers and his efficiency dropped tremendously to 5.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game on 38.3 percent shooting from the field and 30.8 percent from three.

Nwora’s ability to step up will be tremendous for the Bucks as the regular season begins. With Khris Middleton sidelined early in the season with a wrist injury, Nwora will need to be one of the players that fill that role. If he can keep playing his best when given an opportunity, he will undoubtedly help in stepping up while Middleton is down.