The Bucks unfortunately lost their second preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets. As all the Bucks’ starters and significant bench players rested, several young Bucks player stepped up significantly. Jordan Nwora, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Elijah Bryant all impressed as they played significant minutes.
Jordan Nwora
Despite a rough Summer League, Jordan Nwora has shown significant growth in the NBA preseason. In this game, he scored 30 points with 8 rebounds and 2 assists. His scoring is impressive, but the biggest growth lies in his passing. Although 2 assists won’t impress most observers, Nwora showed more willingness to pass up shots and find the open man. If Nwora continues to evolve as a passer, it’s likely he’ll start to see more minutes during the regular season.
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Sando Mamukelashvili is likely the biggest star of the Bucks’ preseason thus far. With 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist, Mamukelashvili (Mamu) is making a strong case for minutes during the regular season. In both preseason games thus far, Mamu showed he holds the athleticism to play a role off the bench for the Bucks in the regular season.
Other Notable Contributors
Although the Bucks initially cut him, Elijah Bryant showed significant effort in the 4th quarter against the Nets. With 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist, Bryant made a significant case for his role on the roster. Due to his issues in the regular season and playoffs last season, it’s difficult to determine if this effort will translate into meaningful regular season play. Despite that, Bryant stepped up while the rest of the team fell short.
Despite a dangerous chase down block in the first half, Thanasis Antetokounmpo also played a significant role in this game. With 12 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds, Thanasis showed he still has the finishing ability he brought in the previous two seasons.
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