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The Milwaukee Bucks’ reserve unit has struggled to supply consistent three-point shooting this season, leaving the team dependent on one player to provide spacing. That player, AJ Green, has emerged as the bench’s primary threat from deep and has carried much of the scoring burden.
Green’s shooting masks deeper bench problems
Milwaukee’s bench has made 39 of 120 three-point attempts this season — a 32.5 percent clip that ranks near the bottom of the league. AJ Green accounts for 16 of those makes and is shooting a career-high 47.1 percent from distance.
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Among reserve players who have attempted at least 30 threes, Green’s percentage is the best in the NBA. That production has kept the second unit afloat while several teammates struggle to convert open looks.
Other bench shooters offer only limited optimism. Gary Trent Jr. is 2-of-4 (50 percent), and Nate Ament is 4-of-9, but both figures come from very small sample sizes. Most other reserves have not been as reliable.
Who is missing and how it matters
Before earning a starting role, Brayden Burries made 5 of 17 (29.4 percent) from long range. Kel’el Ware is 6-of-24 (25 percent). Second-year guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who showed strong perimeter touch previously, is just 4-of-20 (20 percent) this season.
Those cold spells have forced Green to shoulder a heavier share of three-point attempts and made his minutes more valuable than they might otherwise be.
Jakucionis could still unlock the second unit
Jakucionis shot 42.9 percent from three as a rookie, indicating the shooting ability is real. That historical mark suggests his current slump could be temporary if he regains confidence.
He also brings playmaking. Many of the bench’s three-point attempts have come off Jakucionis passes. So far, teammates converting those looks have been few: Ware is 1-of-6, Ousmane Dieng 0-of-2, and Ament missed his lone try created that way.
In the same passing situations, Green has been the lone reserve to consistently finish, making four of nine such attempts. Increasing minutes where Jakucionis can find Green on the perimeter may help the Bucks generate cleaner offense from the second unit.
Milwaukee still needs more bench shooting to reduce the load on Green. His efficiency so far is a positive, but long-term balance will require other reserves to begin converting the looks they receive.
