Cam Thomas wasted no time making his presence felt in Milwaukee. In just his second game with the Bucks, the 22-year-old guard lit up the scoreboard for 34 points, leading the way in a 116-108 win over the Orlando Magic.
And when the game got tight late? Doc Rivers put the ball in Thomas’ hands - and the newcomer delivered.
“It means a lot just having him have that confidence in me in the second game,” Thomas said postgame. “To go out there and do what I do and help the team win, that’s the main objective.”
Thomas didn’t come out firing on all cylinders - he started the night just 1-for-5 from the field - but the slow start didn’t shake his confidence. Instead, he settled in, adjusted to the defense, and started picking his spots. The result: a third-quarter explosion where he dropped 15 points and relentlessly attacked the rim, earning key trips to the free throw line.
That kind of in-game growth is what separates scorers from true offensive weapons. Thomas showed he can be both.
He also showed he’s already building chemistry with his new teammates - especially big man Jericho Sims, who turned in a double-double with 17 points and 11 boards. Sims was a force on the offensive glass and a constant lob threat, something Thomas clearly appreciates.
“He was amazing tonight… offensive rebounding, putbacks, lobs,” Thomas said. “I love playing with live threats.”
Doc Rivers, who’s coached his fair share of microwave scorers over the years, didn’t hold back when putting Thomas in elite company.
“I’ve had Jamal Crawford. I had Lou Williams… And now, I have Cam Thomas,” Rivers said.
That’s high praise - and not just for the scoring. Thomas logged 39 minutes, shot an efficient 12-of-20 from the field, and knocked down four threes. He was decisive, aggressive, and composed - exactly what the Bucks needed.
But Thomas didn’t do it alone. Kevin Porter Jr. notched a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, orchestrating the offense and helping the Bucks dominate the glass. Milwaukee outrebounded Orlando 47-30, a stat that loomed large in a game that stayed tight into the final minutes.
Ousmane Dieng added 17 points, and Kyle Kuzma came up big down the stretch, finishing a go-ahead layup after Desmond Bane tied it up at 104 with a personal 8-0 scoring run. That layup gave Milwaukee a 108-106 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Orlando got a strong night from Bane, who led the Magic with 31 points. Paolo Banchero chipped in 17, while Jalen Suggs had a well-rounded effort with 16 points, 10 assists, and four steals. But the Magic couldn’t close, and Milwaukee’s late-game execution - led by Thomas - was the difference.
The Bucks improved to 22-30 with the win, and while there’s still ground to make up, Thomas’ emergence gives them something real to build on. If this is how he looks just two games in, there’s no telling what kind of impact he could have down the stretch.