Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin couldn’t be any prouder of rookie Andre Jackson Jr. following his breakout game on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors.
Jackson was phenomenal for Milwaukee as he recorded his first pro double-double, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists and one block. More than the numbers, though, the rookie’s hustle and energy were so infectious that it set the right tone for the Bucks.
One of Jackson’s best play on the night came in the third quarter when he blocked fellow rookie and Golden State Warriors rising center Trayce Jackson-Davis. It then led to a Damian Lillard triple on the other end, which was pretty big considering that the game was tied at 72-72 at that point.
Andre Jackson with the big block and Dame with the 3!
Warriors-Bucks | Live on NBA TV
📲 https://t.co/uswPsecizX pic.twitter.com/c9BiSquaCi— NBA (@NBA) January 14, 2024
Andre Jackson Jr. went 5-of-8 from the field in 28 minutes of action. And while he didn’t have the best start, scoring just two points for a -14 plus-minus rating in the first two quarters, he more than made up for it after halftime. Jackson was a +14 in the second half, as he did most of his damage during that stretch.
Naturally, Adrian Griffin was impressed by the youngster. In his postgame presser, Griffin shared his prediction that the rookie will be a “really special player” in the NBA.
“He made big time plays. He’s a big time player. He was a winner in college. Has a motor like I haven’t seen in a long time. He imposes his will on the game. He just made big time plays. He made winning plays,” Griffin said, via Gabe Stoltz of Brew Hoop.
“That’s who Dre is. I think it was his first double-double. We needed every rebound. He had six offensive rebounds. He’s guarding the best player on the other side. He’s shaping into being a really special player in this league.”
Andre Jackson Jr. Helps Milwaukee Bucks Drop 46 Points in 4th Quarter vs. Golden State Warriors
While Andre Jackson Jr. made life hard for the Golden State Warriors in the second half, it’s important to note that he actually pulled off most of it in the final quarter.
Jackson actually scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in the final period. With his constant activity on and off the ball, he was pivotal in fueling the Milwaukee Bucks to record 46 points in the quarter, allowing them to run away with the 129-118 victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were the focal points of the offense in the fourth, but there’s no denying that Jackson was just as important for the team in their hot run.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow us on Twitter at @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
