The Milwaukee Bucks will be without guard Pat Connaughton after he underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his right hand. He is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season, but he will miss a significant number of games. The Bucks are expected to pursue guard Goran Dragic when and if he is bought out by the San Antonio Spurs. Milwaukee is eyeing a run to the NBA Finals as the defending NBA Champions.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton will undergo surgery to repair a fractured fourth metacarpal on his right hand Monday and is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2022
The Milwaukee Bucks rely on Pat Connaughton on the court as a key player in the rotation. This season in 54 games and 18 starts he averaged 10.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He has spent the past few seasons with the Bucks and will continue to help the team seriously compete for another NBA Championship. Until then the team will have to win games without him on the court.
Pat Connaughton is out with a right 4th metacarpal fracture.
He will not return tonight.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 11, 2022
Typically in this situation, the Bucks would just ask more of fellow wing Donte DiVincenzo to play more with him out. The problem with that is they just traded him away to the Sacramento Kings and that is no longer an option. With Pat Connaughton out the team will have to make up the difference without him, or add a new face to the roster. The buyout market will have some names, but the top choice seems to be Goran Dragic if he is indeed bought out by the Spurs.
We here at Def Pen Sports wish Connaughton a quick recovery and return to the court.
