A dominant fourth quarter in the Milwaukee Bucks' 111-107 win over the New Orleans Pelicans has seen them gathering momentum for the end of the regular season.
It was the fourth-straight win for Milwaukee, with plenty of players stepping up due to the absence of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. One player who has stood out multiple times this season has been young guard Ryan Rollins. The former two-way player notched his first double-double in that game and has become a valuable difference-maker for the team.
It was not going to be easy for whoever stepped in with Lillard out, but Rollins has shared the mantle with Kevin Porter Jr., and both have shown what they can offer the team in the past few weeks. With the Milwaukee Bucks getting players back, the feel around the team is that they are confident about making a run.
Ryan Rollins keeps improving and can be a real factor in the playoffs
Rollins came off the bench against New Orleans, tallying 14 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in his 27 minutes on the floor. The 22-year-old also had a +/- of +11, the second-highest on the team behind AJ Green. Every opportunity Rollins has been given this season, he has taken advantage of, with him now being an integral piece down the stretch. That traditional point guard play is of use.
The Milwaukee Bucks desperately needed youth, athleticism and energy. Rollins, Porter and Gary Trent Jr. have all provided that, as well as shot creation.
Rollins shot 5-for-15 (33.3 percent) against NOLA. It's nothing sublime, but he got the job done, and his assists helped. If Lillard is missing to start the playoffs, Rollins, as a natural point guard, will be relied upon a lot for playmaking and ball-handling, and he has shown he can do it at a high level.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the team, the Milwaukee Bucks will always have a chance. Rollins has been getting the most game time so far in his career. Along with Porter and Trent, he is trying to prove he belongs at this level, and he is succeeding. Defensively, Rollins is also active, bringing energy and hustle that the team has lacked in the past two seasons.
Across the season, we have seen ups and downs for many of the young Bucks players. AJ Johnson, the 2024 first-round draft pick, was traded away. Andre Jackson Jr. forced his way into the starting lineup and is now struggling to get back in the rotation. Green has had flashes. Rollins has continually been reliable, and that is one of the best storylines for this team. A two-way player at the start of the season could very well be a big part of how far they go in the playoffs.
Milwaukee may have Lillard back for the playoffs, which will see the rotation shortened. Depending on the team's needs and situation, Rollins and Porter may share the point guard minutes. That shouldn't take away how much Rollins has improved over this season, and Sunday's double-double showed he could still play a major role in the postseason.
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