The Milwaukee Bucks got a big win in Orlando on Wednesday night courtesy of an explosive scoring night from new shooting guard Cam Thomas. The former Brooklyn Net scorched the Magic for 34 points on the evening as the Bucks won 116-108. After the impressive performance, head coach Doc Rivers made an eye-catching statement by lauding the shooting guard’s talents as comparable to past NBA legends that he coached.
Doc Rivers Compares Cam Thomas to Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams After 34-Point Game
Head coach Doc Rivers has been around the NBA for decades now and has coached a lot of talent in his time. Notably, he has had the pleasure of working with two of the best 6th men in league history. Shooting guards Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams were both certified buckets who did their scoring work off the bench and contributed to high-level Clippers teams helmed by Rivers. The two have won the 6th Man of the Year award three times each, cementing their status as some of the best bucket-getters of their time.
In 2026, Doc now has a new red-hot weapon on his bench in the form of Cam Thomas. Just two games into his Bucks career, Thomas is showing fans his talent right away. Rivers was not shy about complementing Thomas after he erupted for 34 points (12-20 from the floor) in just 25 minutes on Wednesday.
“I’ve had Jamal Crawford. I had Lou Williams…And now, I have Cam Thomas.” – Doc Rivers
On Cam Thomas’ first big night with the Bucks, at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/NXoFDl1pM2
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 12, 2026
It’s tremendously high praise from the coach, especially given that he’s only played 40 total minutes in a Bucks uniform. Despite Thomas’ shortcomings as a player (after all, there was a reason that Brooklyn chose to release him instead of being able to trade him at the deadline), he has already showcased his potential to be an offensive spark that can help the Bucks close out games.
After Thomas signed with Milwaukee, some felt the potential under Rivers could be magical:
“Doc Rivers has experience working with one-dimensional scoring guards in his career. Both Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams are known almost exclusively for being prolific shot-makers off the bench. That is the best-case scenario for Thomas in Milwaukee-“
Thomas seems to be ready to do his part to make it happen.
Cam Freaking Thomas. pic.twitter.com/zxDybUiGEu
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 12, 2026
Cam Thomas Excites New Teammates and Milwaukee Bucks Fans Alike
On top of the high praise from his new head coach, Thomas has the entire NBA world talking about his electric performance.
doesn’t matter the context – team, opponent, era, level, situation – you put Cam Thomas on a basketball court and he’s getting buckets
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) February 12, 2026
Cam Thomas gonna be a better duo pairing for Giannis than Dame tears
— #GreenGoblinAnt (@ant2shiifty) February 12, 2026
New teammate Ousmane Dieng, who has also appeared in just two games for the Bucks since joining the team at the trade deadline, already has a ton of confidence in his new teammate. After chipping in with 17 points of his own during the game, Dieng was ready to see Thomas deliver one more shot to secure the W.
Ousmane Dieng on Cam Thomas’ dagger:
“I knew he was gonna shoot it. I was on the bench I was like ‘shoot it, shoot it’. I saw [Jalen] Suggs backing up and I was like ‘yeah he’s gonna shoot it’ and he made it, so it was great. It was fun.” pic.twitter.com/jHeDNGgGop
— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) February 12, 2026
Even Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting excited. Just look at his expression after Thomas buried the long triple to ice the game.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 12, 2026
Safe to say the Greek Freak is excited about his new teammate. After a good injury update for Antetokounmpo, Bucks fans shouldn’t have to wait too much longer to see the two pair up on the court together.
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