Doc Rivers gave a special shoutout to Pat Connaughton and MarJon Beauchamp during the Milwaukee Bucks’ 113-110 loss to the Brooklyn Nets last Thursday. According to the veteran head coach, Connaughton and Beauchamp were the catalysts of their late comeback attempt.
“We needed live legs and just someone else because no one had played well. When you’re struggling and you need someone that you know that’s bought in, my first impulse was Pat Connaughton,” Rivers said via Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “And he did. He played great. I was really happy.”
“I thought defensively, and this was something we’ve really been on him about, if he can do that every night he can earn minutes,” Rivers added about Beauchamp. “I thought he was phenomenal defensively tonight.”
Pat Connaughton only played 10 minutes to contribute two points and four rebounds, while MarJon Beauchamp was scoreless and had three rebounds in seven minutes. However, Connaughton and Beauchamp were +14 and +18 during their short time together on the court.
How Pat Connaughton and MarJon Beauchamp impacted the game for the Milwaukee Bucks
With the Milwaukee Bucks down by double digits in the fourth quarter, head coach Doc Rivers decided to play Pat Connaughton and MarJon Beauchamp to provide energy, and that is what they did.
Connaughton stuffed Cam Thomas’ three-point attempt and had a breakaway dunk on the other end with 2:56 left. When Beauchamp was in the game, the Brooklyn Nets went scoreless almost the entire time he was on the floor.
By the time the pair were no longer on the floor, the Milwaukee Bucks had the chance to tie or take the lead at the end of the game.