Bucks Zone

Pat Connaughton receives a major injury update

The Milwaukee Bucks could be getting their guard back sooner than later.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks have had a great start to the season, despite not being at full strength. 

The Bucks currently have the second-best record in the league (11-3), and their All-Star Khris Middleton is yet to play a game this season. Joe Ingles also is yet to make his debut in Milwaukee, as he could return somewhere before the playoffs. 

But one guy that doesn't often get mentioned, despite being an integral part of the team, is Pat Connaughton, who has been with the team for five years. It seems the fans will be rejoicing soon as there was a massive update on Pat's availability.

Pat Connaughton could be returning to the Bucks rotation soon

Connaughton has become an integral part of the Buck rotation over the years. He has fluctuated between coming off the bench and being a starter, as he has steadily increased his averages year by year. He is an excellent three-point shooter and a good rebounder for a guard, giving the Bucks value on both ends of the floor.

Pat was available in training camp, and he even played in a couple of preseason games. But he later was reported to suffer a hamstring injury and expected to miss at least three weeks. He has been out longer than that, but there is some good news for the Bucks fans.

He practiced with the team before the Cleveland Cavaliers game, and he was reported questionable before the game. However, the Bucks ruled him out as this game was too early in his recovery process. 

Pat can help space the floor

The Bucks have been playing brilliantly, but there is one major concern for them --  their three-point shooting percentage. The Bucks attempt over 38 threes a game, but their shooting percentage is in the bottom half of the league ( 22nd at 34.4%).

A large part of this is due to them missing their snipers in Middleton, Connaughton, and even the new addition Ingels who will all help vastly with the long-range shooting. Pat shot nearly 40% from three last season, and he can help the Bucks fix this issue. 

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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.