Shortly after receiving his NBA championship ring, Pat Connaughton was ready to help begin the Milwaukee Bucks’ quest to defend their title. It began Oct. 19 in a nationally televised game with the Brooklyn Nets. Connaughton showed he lost no time by scoring 20 points off the bench in a season-opening win. That tied him for second on the team for the game.
With Brook Lopez out with a back injury, Connaughton was thrust into the starting lineup for the next two games, both on the road. He scored only six points in an Oct. 21 loss to the Miami Heat. He bounced back Oct. 23 with 16 points and seven rebounds, helping the Bucks earn a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Through the first three games of the season, Connaughton is averaging 14.0 points and 4.7 rebounds a game while shooting 60.7 percent from the field, including 7 of 17 from 3-point range. Additionally, is 31.3 minutes a game lead the Bucks. Let’s hope he doesn’t get tired too quickly.