Young Bucks come up clutch, seal preseason finale victory over Grizzlies

The Milwaukee Bucks took the court for the final time this preseason for a home rematch with the Memphis Grizzlies.

It was the first time the Bucks rolled out what is expected to be their starting five this season, with Khris Middleton joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Malik Beasley on the floor. Yet, the game concluded with none of these five on the court as it was the young guys who were tasked with trying to lead Milwaukee to a comeback victory.

Young Bucks come up clutch, seal preseason finale victory over Grizzlies

Entering the fourth quarter, the Bucks trailed the Grizzlies by nine points and needed a huge spark.

MarJon Beauchamp, who sat out the entire first half, helped fuel this team. He had three points to his name to begin the final period and finished with 18, having shot 6-of-7 in the fourth to propel this team to victory. The wing looked incredibly confident, not just offensively but also defensively, which is exactly what he needs to do if he wants to earn minutes on this team.

Andre Jackson Jr. did not see any action until the fourth quarter, but he made sure to stuff the stat sheet regardless. Though he had just two points, Jackson tallied four rebounds, two assists, and a steal, having made a handful of winning plays, including a layup with just over a minute and a half to play that put Milwaukee up by eight points.

Another player who only played in the fourth and made his share of crucial plays was A.J. Green. Not only did the marksman knock down three huge perimeter shots to keep the Bucks afloat, but he notched three rebounds, two assists, and a steal as well. Green’s biggest play of the game was a 3-pointer with 4:58 to play that tied the game at 108.

Two-way guard TyTy Washington also deserves his flowers after stepping in for Cameron Payne, who left the game with a quad contusion. The guard had a huge string of plays down the stretch, including a 3-pointer, a steal, and an assist. In total, he finished with five points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

Every player listed, as well as Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who helped close, had a double-digit +/- on the positive side during the fourth quarter.

It was great to see the young Bucks battle late and get this win. While it’s just a preseason game, it’s valuable experience for rookies or second-year players, especially in high-pressure situations like the one they faced. It helps build confidence and gives them a feel for the game, which is just what these players need right now as they try to climb the ladder.

Again, while it’s just a preseason game, several players showed why they should be in the mix for Coach Griffin. Beauchamp has tremendous two-way potential, Jackson is a do-it-all guy who can make a highlight at any time, and Green is a flat-out sharpshooter. All of them can help this team out one way or another. It will be interesting to see how they are used in the regular season.

The Bucks season officially begins on October 26 against the Philadelphia 76ers after concluding the preseason with a 3-2 overall record.

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