3 Milwaukee Bucks that must step up with Grayson Allen injured
The Milwaukee Bucks have tied up the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and are looking to win a second NBA title in just three seasons. Despite this, a number of injuries are starting to hamper Mike Budenholzer’s roster slightly, and with the playoffs just around the corner, the Bucks are looking to get a bit extra out of all their players.
One of those out injured is guard Grayson Allen, who has missed three straight games due to a right ankle sprain and is potentially a doubt for the beginning of the postseason. The 27-year-old has played 72 games this season, starting 70 of those, and has been key to the Bucks’ success.
Allen is averaging 10.4 points while adding three rebounds and two assists per game. One of Allen’s biggest assets is his 3-point shooting, hitting 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
With the postseason starting up soon, here are three Bucks that must step up with Allen out of the lineup for the time being.
3 Milwaukee Bucks that must step up with Grayson Allen injured- Wesley Matthews
The experienced guard has been ever-present on this Bucks team during his time in Milwaukee, and the impact he has on both ends is for all to see. Wesley Matthews has featured in 51 games without starting any. Having managed 49 games last season, including 14 starts, he has seen a drop in time on the court but has still shown a great impact down the stretch.
Recently, he has played a key part in victories over the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls to help cement the one seed. Across the two games, he hit four shots from deep, claimed 10 rebounds, and against the Bulls, added a steal and a block to his stat line.
Despite not playing as much this season, Matthews has stayed ready and when called upon has had a great impact. We all remember him locking up Kawhi Leonard in a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers back in February, pressuring one of the league’s superstars to airball on the final shot of the game.
His shooting might not be quite as efficient as Allen’s, but he can still hit the shots and hopefully we see more of the arrow celebration, but his defense and experience are priceless and can be a real factor for the Bucks in late-game situations.