3 Milwaukee Bucks in danger of losing minutes in the 2023 NBA Playoffs
By Corey Moen
The Milwaukee Bucks have 12 games remaining in the regular season and are the first team to clinch a postseason spot.
So with Milwaukee already in the postseason, what names could we see not see as much action in the postseason as in the regular season?
Milwaukee this year has good depth on their roster and with that, some notable names will likely be left out of Head Coach Mike Budenholzer’s playoff rotation. We’ve seen it in years past with guys like Bobby Portis in 2021 against the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and with Jevon Carter in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston Celtics last year.
So, who are the three who will likely not see as many minutes this postseason?
3 Milwaukee Bucks in danger of losing minutes in the playoffs: Grayson Allen
Grayson Allen’s first postseason run with the Bucks left a lot to be desired.
After having a solid series in the first round against the Chicago Bulls last season, Allen had a tough series against the Boston Celtics in which he shot only 31 percent from the field and 20 percent from three. Allen was attacked ruthlessly by Boston’s bigger wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Boston had the strategy to get Allen on every switch so they could shoot over the top of him.
When you get to the postseason, and especially if you advance, every weakness a team could have gets magnified. Milwaukee’s was not having a guy who could combat Boston’s taller wings.
This time around, Milwaukee acquired Jae Crowder and is managing Khris Middleton’s minutes to make sure he stays healthy in the postseason.
Middleton’s injury hurt last season because his 6-foot-7 frame would have made a difference in the Boston series. Instead, Milwaukee was forced to put Allen Tatum, Brown, and Grant Williams, and the results weren’t effective.
With Milwaukee’s improved depth this postseason, there isn’t a pressing need to play Allen if Milwaukee advances in the postseason.