The Milwaukee Bucks have had many changes in their starting lineup and bench rotation occur throughout the 2024-25 NBA season. Earlier in the year, these happened because of the return of Khris Middleton from offseason surgery, and then again when he was relegated to the bench. Of course, more happened when Middleton and MarJon Beauchamp were traded in return for Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr.
One of the players that has seen his playing time impacted by all of these moves is second-year shooting guard Andre Jackson Jr. While he has started 43 games for Milwaukee so far this season (and has played in 53), the UConn product now finds himself at the end of the Bucks bench, receiving fewer and fewer minutes.
On Tuesday night, head coach Doc Rivers explained why.
Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers Explains Why Andre Jackson Jr. Has Lost Playing Time
Prior to their game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night, Rivers was asked by Eric Nehm of The Athletic about Jackson and his fall from grace.
Rivers gave a rather blunt answer:
Before tonight’s game, I asked Doc Rivers how Andre Jackson Jr. went from the starting lineup before the All-Star break to essentially out of the rotation after the All-Star break.
Rivers: pic.twitter.com/uUKedhKrJ5
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 26, 2025
“Mid-season trade. We brought in other guys who I think fill his role. His numbers were not great, especially with Giannis on the floor, those two guys together.
“But there’s still going to be, he’s still going to play, there’s still going to be a use for him because he can defend and he gives us energy, whether it be a 20-minute, 10-minute, you just never know. It’s what I always say, this is a competition and it’s always going to be a competition.”
In 16.8 minutes per game this season, Jackson is averaging 3.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. And while he is shooting 39% from three, he averages less than two attempts per game.
Simply put, his game is not fully evolved yet and, with their core players aging, they cannot offer him anymore minutes without putting their end goal of winning a title at stake.
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