MILWAUKEE — With the team on a six-game losing streak, the Bucks made a change to their starting lineup, inserting second-year wing Andre Jackson to replace Gary Trent Jr. on Thursday night.
The move seemed to help, as Milwaukee ended the skid with a 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz.
Jackson, who turns 23 years old next week, made his first start of the season and had 7 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes. Entering Thursday, he had seen his minutes increase steadily since the start of the season, from playing in just one minute of garbage time through the first two games to a season-high 24:55 on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“We keep looking for that position just to be a good role player,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the Jazz game.
“[We want Andre to] just be an athlete. Be quick to the ball. Defend, understand your role.”
Rivers did not commit to the lineup change long term, but said he made the shift to help Trent snap out of his early-season skid. After signing a veteran minimum deal with Milwaukee this offseason, Trent has struggled in his first seven games, shooting 28% from the field and 23% from 3.
“I’m just trying to give him room to breathe,” Rivers said. “And get out of his little thing because I know he will.”
Trent played just 8 minutes against the Jazz, scoring 2 points.
In other team news, Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to Milwaukee’s lineup after missing a game with a right adductor strain. The Bucks’ injury report had listed Antetokounmpo as questionable. He had 31 points and 16 rebounds in the win as Milwaukee improved to 2-6 on the season.
