It might have taken a while, but it's officially official: Andre Jackson Jr. is starting to figure it out for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The wing, whose early-season minutes were often marred by fouls and a shaky offensive game, has finally begun to show the flashes of potential that made him such an intriguing pick for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Over the past two games, Jackson has committed just one foul—a minor miracle for a player who was averaging more than four fouls per 36 minutes through November. His discipline on defense is unlocking his potential as the team’s best wing-stopper, a role that desperately needed filling.
Against the Toronto Raptors, Jackson had only one foul while helping stymie the likes of Scottie Barnes and company in key moments. Against the San Antonio Spurs, he played 11 minutes of foul-free basketball, keeping wings like Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell in check.
This newfound ability to defend aggressively without overcommitting has been transformative for the Milwaukee Bucks, allowing them to deploy Jackson in high-leverage situations without worrying about him heading to the bench too quickly.
Andre Jackson Jr. is quietly finding ways to mitigate his limitations
Beyond defense, Jackson’s offense has somewhat improved as well.
While his 3-point shooting remains a work in progress, he’s finding ways to contribute inside the arc. Over the last five games, Jackson has made 70 percent of his two-point attempts and exactly half of his threes, showing more confidence when attacking the basket or cutting off-ball. He's always known when and how to cut backdoor for easy opportunities, but the start of the season saw him missing countless gimmies, especially from the dunker spot.
This added dimension makes him less of a liability on offense, giving Milwaukee another versatile option to keep defenses honest.
Perhaps most intriguing is Jackson’s evolving chemistry with Damian Lillard. In the last five games, more than half of Jackson’s passes have been directed to Lillard, a clear indication of growing trust between the two. Jackson’s ability to push the ball in transition and find Lillard in rhythm could be a game-changer for a Bucks team still ironing out its offensive wrinkles.
Lillard, for his part, seems to appreciate Jackson’s energy and instincts, often rewarding him with open looks or simple give-and-go opportunities.
For a team that once viewed Jackson’s fouling and offensive inconsistencies as potential barriers to meaningful minutes, this recent stretch has been a revelation. The Milwaukee Bucks now have a young, athletic defender who can stay on the court and contribute in a variety of ways, especially in critical matchups against dynamic wing players.
Milwaukee’s coaching staff deserves credit for sticking with Jackson and giving him room to grow. His ability to learn on the fly and adapt to the NBA’s physicality is paying off, and it’s coming at just the right time. With the Bucks eyeing a deep playoff run, having a player like Jackson who can defend, hustle and complement the team’s stars will be invaluable.
It’s far too early to declare Jackson a finished product, but the signs of progress are undeniable. If he can maintain this upward trajectory, the Bucks’ so-called "Andre Jackson Jr. problem" might just turn into one of their biggest strengths.
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