After a hard-fought loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, the Milwaukee Bucks aimed to get their first win of the NBA Summer League on Sunday.
Well, things did not go according to plan. The Bucks came out flat and remained that way for most of the contest, finally showing some effort when it was all too late. Milwaukee never possessed the lead and trailed by as many as 38 points at one time in what was a tough one to get through, with the team ultimately losing 112-81.
Let's highlight a single stud and a few duds from this grueling contest.
Stud - Chris Livingston
If there was even a single positive takeaway from this lopsided outing, it was the high-energy play of soon-to-be sophomore Chris Livingston. In 23 minutes, Livingston, starting out of position at center, finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and an assist and a steal apiece. Shooting 6-of-11 on his field goal attempts, including 3-of-5 from deep, Livingston was very efficient from the floor.
One of Livingston's best attributes is his knack for rebounding the basketball, which was on display throughout this matchup. Using his length and frame, he knows how to put himself into position and battle with opponents for the board.
Livingston is a player to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the Summer League. If he keeps up this strong play, it will certainly catch the eyes of the Bucks coaching staff as he aims to carve out a role for himself in the association. It's no secret that Milwaukee needs athletic wings, and they very well may have a potential-filled one here on their hands.
Dud - TyTy Washington Jr.
It's been a rough two showings for TyTy Washington thus far. Dubbed one of the leaders of this team due to his experience, he's has had a tough time getting himself going, let alone others on the roster.
After scoring nine points on 3-of-8 shooting Saturday, Washington shot a mere 2-of-8 for six points on Sunday. The only other stats he logged were a turnover and a single assist.
These next few matchups will be crucial for Washington, especially if he remains in the starting five. He's currently playing for his next opportunity, and if he keeps playing like this, his options may be slim. If he can round back into form and perform like the player who dominated as a member of the Wisconsin Herd this past season, it would be a welcoming turnaround for all parties.
Dud - Andre Jackson Jr.
All eyes were on Andre Jackson Jr. entering the 2024 Summer League, as many believed he was the best player on the entire roster and someone who could see more time with the Bucks this coming season. Well, outside of an emphatic putback dunk in his first outing, these first two performances haven't provided much optimism in that regard.
Jackson, a starter, was awfully quiet, totaling a mere five points and a rebound and assist each in over 20 minutes of action. When his name was called over the loudspeaker, it was oftentimes to announce a foul or turnover, as he had four of those apiece. As one of the most potential-filled players on this entire roster, the Milwaukee Bucks need Jackson to flip the switch.
Dud - MarJon Beauchamp
This game shared a lot of similarities to Beauchamp's first outing of the Summer League, flashing his potential one trip down the floor while struggling the next. The wing led the team in scoring again, as he finished with 19 points, but he shot jut 6-of-16. To make matters worse, his decision-making was far from exceptional, having finished with seven ugly turnovers for the game.
These next few games will be pivotal for Beauchamp. As the most experienced player on the roster, he has a golden opportunity to shine and get into the good graces of the coaching staff. Yet, if the wing continues delivering these up-and-down performances, his uphill climb to make a name for himself may get even more challenging.
Dud - Minutes distribution to the rookies
Summer League is about seeing what a team has in its young players and helping said players earn NBA-related minutes for the first time. With Milwaukee's two rookies, a pair of 19-year-olds, having them on the floor consistently should be a priority to see what they can do. That didn't seem to be a priority in this one. AJ Johnson played 16 minutes, while Tyler Smith logged just under 14.
Sure, one could argue that getting these two some rest on the second leg of a back-to-back isn't the worst thing in the world. However, they both should be under a microscope right now, and this limited time on the court hinders their ability to get into a rhythm and get a feel for the game. They both need to see prominent time in these remaining games, given their status on the actual Bucks roster.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.