Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Solid production as reserve
Rotowire
Connaughton closed Saturday's 121-99 loss to the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal over 26 minutes.
Connaughton was one of four Bucks to score in double figures and finished second on the team in rebounds behind Bobby Portis (10). After not playing during the Game 1 loss, the backup guard has seen a sizable role in back-to-back contests, posting 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks in 25.5 minutes while shooting 63.2 percent from the field (12-for-19) and 56.3 percent from deep (9-for-16) during that stretch. If Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) returns for Monday's Game 4, it could mean fewer minutes for Connaughton, but with the way he's performed over the past two games, it may be difficult to keep him off the court for too long.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Sets playoff career high
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Connaughton (ankle) recorded 22 points (8-12 FG, 6-10 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 25 minutes during Wednesday's 138-122 win over Miami in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
After missing the final three games of the regular season with a sprained right ankle and then being excluded from the rotation in the Game 1 loss to Miami on Sunday, Connaughton slotted back in on the second unit Wednesday while Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) and Wesley Matthews (calf) were sidelined. Connaughton provided an instant spark off the bench, setting postseason career highs in both scoring and three-pointers. Even if both Antetokounmpo and Matthews are available for Saturday's Game 3, Connaughton likely played well enough Wednesday to ensure himself a spot in the rotation.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Will play in series opener Sunday
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Connaughton (ankle) is not listed in the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 against the Heat.
Connaughton had been dealing with a sprained right ankle and didn't feature in the regular-season finale, but he was a full participant in Thursday's practice and should be available off the bench for the series opener against the Heat. Connaughton averaged 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game across 61 appearances (33 starts) in the regular season.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Full participant in practice
Rotowire
Connaughton (ankle) fully participated in Thursday's practice session, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Connaughton was unavailable for Milwaukee's final three regular-season matchups due to his sprained right ankle and was limited at practice Tuesday. However, he increased his workload Thursday and should be in the mix to return to the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Sunday.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Limited participant Tuesday
Rotowire
Connaughton (ankle) was a limited participant during Tuesday's practice, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Connaughton missed three straight games to end the regular season due to a right ankle sprain, and it appears he's still bothered by the issue heading into playoff action. However, he'll have a couple more days to rest and rehab before the Bucks find out who their opening-round opponent will be.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Skipping regular-season finale
Rotowire
Connaughton (ankle) will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Raptors.
Connaughton and a glob of Bucks regulars will not take the floor to close out the regular season Sunday. Connaughton's absence makes even more sense after he injured his ankle earlier in the week, as the Bucks have nothing to play for with the top seed in the East already locked up. Connaughton completes the regular season averaging 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists while posting a disappointing 39/34/66 efficiency line across his 61 appearances (33 starts) for Milwaukee this season.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Still out Friday
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Connaughton (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.
Connaughton exited Tuesday's win over Washington with a right ankle sprain and will be sidelined for a second consecutive contest. Since the Bucks have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, it wouldn't be surprising to see him remain out Sunday against Toronto if he isn't back to 100 percent.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Done for night with ankle sprain
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Connaughton will not return to Tuesday's game against the Wizards after suffering a right ankle sprain, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Connaughton finishes the contest with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and no other statistics in six minutes of court time. Tuesday's contest marks the front end of a back-to-back set, so Connaughton would seem to be at risk of sitting out Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Gets starting nod
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Connaughton is in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus Washington.
Connaughton will replace Grayson Allen (ankle) in the starting lineup Tuesday. Connaughton has averaged 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.2 minutes across his previous 32 starts this season.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Secures four rebounds in win
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Connaughton chipped in zero points (0-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and four rebounds in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 149-136 win over the Pacers.
While the Bucks' offense was effective during Wednesday's matchup, Connaughton was held scoreless for just the third time this season. He also struggled to generate much production in secondary categories. The 30-year-old has come off the bench in five of his last six appearances, averaging 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Not starting Saturday
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Connaughton is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Nuggets.
Connaughton will head back to a bench role with Khris Middleton (knee) back in the starting five. Connaughton is averaging 6.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game across 23 games off the bench this season.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Heats up with 22 points
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Connaughton had 22 points (8-12 FG, 6-10 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 29 minutes during Friday's 144-116 victory over the Jazz.
Khris Middleton (right knee injury management) was held out for the front end of the back-to-back set, but he should be back Saturday against the Nuggets. If the Bucks are back to full strength Saturday, Connaughton will struggle to deliver a line anywhere close to the one we saw Friday. As a reserve this season, Connaughton averages 6.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Starting Friday
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Connaughton is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Jazz, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Connaughton is starting in place of Khris Middleton (knee). The veteran wing has averaged 9.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 28.2 minutes in 31 starts this season.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Not starting Sunday
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Connaughton isn't starting Sunday's game against the Raptors.
Connaughton started the last two matchups and averaged 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game. However, he'll retreat to the bench with Grayson Allen returning to action Sunday.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Ties season high with three steals
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Connaughton closed Thursday's 139-123 loss to the Pacers with 10 points (4-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and three steals over 31 minutes.
With Grayson Allen (foot) out again, Connaughton drew a second consecutive start and posted his first double-digit scoring outing since March 1. He also tied his season high with three steals, a mark he's reached just one other time. Connaughton has appeared in 11 straight contests (six starts) but is averaging just 5.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 21.6 minutes and could be relegated to a modest backup role when Allen is cleared to return.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Starting against Suns
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Connaughton is starting against the Suns on Tuesday.
Khris Middleton (knee) is getting the night off and the Bucks are missing Grayson Allen (foot) as well, so Connaughton and Jevon Carter will get the starting nod. Connaughton hasn't fared well in recent games, as he hasn't scored in double figures since March 1.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Slides back to bench
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Connaughton has been relegated to the bench for Tuesday's game versus the Magic.
Connaughton had started all but one of his appearances dating back to Christmas Day, but he will return to the bench in place of Khris Middleton, who will receive his first start since Dec. 21. The long-term goal likely involves including Middleton in the starting lineup more often as the playoffs approach, so Connaughton may find himself coming off the bench more frequently moving forward.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Disappears in loss
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Connaughton closed Saturday's 133-130 loss to the 76ers with one point (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and two rebounds in 17 minutes.
The Bucks have started Connaughton in three of four games since his two-game absence, but he's failed to deliver. Saturday marked another abysmal game for the Notre Dame product, who has only produced 16 points and 14 rebounds over a four-game span. Jevon Carter is playing well enough to eat into Connaughton's usage, which diminishes his fantasy value.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Starting against Nets
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Connaughton is starting against the Nets on Tuesday.
Jevon Carter will shift to the bench along with Bobby Portis with Giannis Antetokounmpo back from injury. Connaughton will look to get himself back on track, as he hasn't eclipsed double-digit points since Feb. 6.
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Bucks' Pat Connaughton: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Connaughton (calf) isn't listed on the Bucks' injury report for Sunday's matchup against the Suns.
Connaughton missed Friday's contest due to left calf soreness, but he'll return to action Sunday. He started 25 straight appearances before missing time with the issue and averaged 9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.4 minutes during that stretch. He may be limited during his first game action since Feb. 14, but he figures to reclaim a prominent role for Milwaukee before too long.
