For a brief moment, it looked like the Milwaukee Bucks had a new surefire rotation player on their hands in Ryan Rollins.
During a three-game stretch in early November, where he played his only three games of the season with double-digit minutes, Rollins averaged 6.3 points, two assists, two steals and a block per game while hitting 55.6 percent of his 3-pointers. In that small sample size, it felt like something blossomed and that Rollins was destined for a larger role in Milwaukee's rotation.
That thought plummeted when Rollins took a hard fall in the middle of his best showing of the season against the Toronto Raptors on November 12. Initially optimistic that he wouldn't miss any time at all, Rollins has instead fallen out of Milwaukee's rotation as he deals with a dislocated shoulder. While he is indeed healthy and available, he's only played four total minutes since taking that fall.
Doc Rivers' comments may shed light on Bucks guard
Speaking on Rollins, Rivers made it clear that the young point guard will either have to play through this injury or get surgery. Obviously, he is aiming to play through it. As Rivers highlighted, it would be tough for Rollins, a young player on a two-way contract trying to prove himself, to get surgery and sideline himself for a while. In this league, you have to capitalize on your opportunities.
Rollins, hungry to prove he belongs, clearly wants to fight through and help this team, which he can absolutely do when he's healthy, without question. However, while Rollins may be itching to get back on the floor, it is unclear just how healthy he is. Rivers sees more behind closed doors than casual spectators, and Rollins just may not be healthy as that shoulder injury lingers.
In addition to the injury itself, Rivers let it be known that he has been pleased with Delon Wright's play as of late as well. While Wright, the savvy veteran, has had a tough time on offense, he has indeed put up some impressive numbers on defense since reentering the rotation. On top of that, Wright is not dealing with a dislocated shoulder, so Rivers may feel more comfortable putting him out there.
It's just an incredibly unfortunate situation for the 22-year-old Rollins, as he fit right in with the Bucks' ongoing youth movement that has given them new life this season. He's currently stuck between a rock and a hard place, as he's opting against surgery but also not getting any playing time. Time will tell if he can make his return to the rotation soon or if this injury will stand in the way.
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