Bucks Zone

Coach Adrian Griffin gives update on Pat Connaughton's injury exit vs. Heat

Bucks coach says Pat will be evaluated on Wednesday to see the severity of the ankle sprain.

Matthew Dugandzic

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The Milwaukee Bucks have picked up their outright ticket to the In-Season knockout stage upon cooling down the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Still, their injury list just got worsened upon the premature exit made by Pat Connaughton.

With little under three minutes remaining in the second frame, Connaughton drove hard to the basket and sank a successful acrobatic shot. But as he came down, Pat landed his right foot awkwardly and stayed on the floor holding it while mincing in pain.

Connaughton was subbed out and eventually entered the dugout. Plenty of moments later, the Bucks announced that he wouldn't return to the game due to a right ankle sprain.

He ended the game with seven points on 3-of-5 shooting in 15 minutes.

To be determined

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin addressed the media after the game and revealed that the veteran swingman will be under evaluation on Wednesday morning.

With the severity of the injury remaining a question, Griffin has noted that the forthcoming assessment of the ankle sprain is the only update he can provide about Connaughton.

“They're going to evaluate them in the morning, and that's all that I was told right now,” he said.

Significance of Pat’s injury

The ankle sprain's seriousness is yet to be determined, but any potential absence timeline for Connaughton will mean another massive blow for the Bucks’ wing slate.

Jae Crowder remains unavailable as he continues to recover from the left adductor and abdominal tear surgeries he took while the team continues to manage the load of Khris Middleton. Milwaukee's forward depth will gain damage if Connaughton is sidelined for a significant amount of time. 

While he's averaging 5.7 points this season – the lowest since his first year in Milwaukee – his high energy, reliability, and shooting will remain integral in the Bucks’ hopes to continue building their momentum this 2023-24 season.

A probable absence from Connaughton will allow both MarJon Beauchamp and Andre Jackson Jr. to take a step up and absorb increased on-court exposure.

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat to advance to the knockout round of NBA Cup

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.