The Milwaukee Bucks' greatest X-factor has arrived amid 2-7 start

When the Milwaukee Bucks added Andre Jackson Jr. to their roster in the 2023 NBA Draft, the hope was that his freak athleticism, elite defense and ability to make plays without the ball in his hands would give them that missing piece they needed to round out the team's many pieces.

Jackson wasn’t pegged as a star out of the gate—but the past few games, including a much-needed victory over the Utah Jazz, made it clear that he might just be the X-factor this team needs to reach new heights.

In their thrilling 123-100 victory over the Utah Jazz, the Milwaukee Bucks' secret weapon was on full display. The 6-foot-6 swingman stuffed the stat sheet with an impressive seven points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals while missing just one shot in just 28 minutes of play.

It wasn't so much the numbers he put up but how he got there. His basketball IQ and awareness of when to cut, when to screen and when to help on defense were on full display that game and showed how he could be a perfect complementary player on a team loaded with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

He hounded Utah's scorers no matter the matchup, sprinted on the fastbreak and never stopped moving. This breakout performance is a testament to Jackson's potential as a game-changer for the Bucks, but it was a long time coming for anyone who had been watching the young forward closely.

Even in their most recent 116-94 loss to the New York Knicks, Jackson's minutes were far from the reason the team lost. While he only put up three points, a block and an assist this time around, his energy and effort still kept the Bucks close before they eventually gave the game up. His one block came in the opening minutes of the first quarter to keep the game within control, but he was eventually subbed out of the game due to a left hip pointer.

Andre Jackson Jr. might be the X-factor the Bucks have always needed

The Bucks' Big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton is undeniable, but for a team to truly be a championship contender, it’s the supporting cast that often makes the difference. That’s where Andre Jackson Jr. comes in.

Every team needs someone who can stuff the stat sheet in the most meaningful way possible, whether they're a star or not. The Warriors had that with Draymond Green, the Bulls had that with Lonzo Ball and even the Utah Jazz did with Joe Ingles.

Similar to those players, Jackson's stat line doesn't tell the whole story. Watching him, it immediately becomes clear that he has a tangible impact on both ends of the floor, influencing any game he plays in ways that don't always show up in the scorebook.

Jackson doesn't just fill up the box score—he brings energy, versatility and defensive intensity that directly impact the outcome of the game. Even outside of defense and hustle, Jackson is among the very best play connectors for the Milwaukee Bucks: he gets stops, pushes the pace in transition, looks for Antetokounmpo on the lob, and looks for Damian Lillard on the perimeter.

And, for the Bucks, who are looking to build chemistry around their stars, that’s exactly the kind of player they need. With Jackson now having started two games in a row for Milwaukee, it's just a matter of keeping his forward momentum going and keeping the good graces of the coaching staff.

"I sit there with my coaches like, 'can I have one guy on the lineup that's not trying to score?' You know, but knows how to play and get to the right spots, because it helps. And he did exactly that. He ended up scoring points, but he did it by doing a connector, and it was phenomenal," Rivers said of Jackson in his post-game presser after the win against Utah.

Rivers has finally given Jackson a chance, and the Bucks are better for it

While the latest loss to the New York Knicks was yet another setback in an incredibly sluggish start for the team, Milwaukee Bucks fans can expect even more exciting performances from the young forward now that he's firmly found his place in the rotation.

With Jackson's emergence, the Bucks' rotation just got a whole lot deeper, as head coach Doc Rivers' willingness to give him meaningful minutes is an extremely positive sign of things to come. As the season unfolds, keep an eye on Jackson's progress. He might just be the X-factor that propels the Milwaukee Bucks to new heights.

"That's what I do in basketball. I just try to find ways to help us win, and I know setting a screen for [Dame] might help us win, me crashing the glass and really just making a play. If dame is open, I’ll get him the ball, if Pat's open, I'll get him the ball. Everything is just reading out there, just trying to free up our best players to get them easy shots and clean looks," Jackson said in his post-game presser.

"I think a couple times I could have done a better job, honestly...You always learn from it. Next time out, I'll be better. I'll understand when and where to set screens and when to get out and just let guys do their thing."