In a whirlwind stretch for the Milwaukee Bucks, where playoff dreams have turned into lottery contemplations, Jericho Sims has been a standout storyline. Recently, Sims surged to the forefront of Doc Rivers' lineup, eclipsing even seasoned players like Myles Turner and Bobby Portis. Yet, in an unexpected twist, his court time has dwindled in the last few games.
Sims was on fire for the Bucks
From late February to mid-March, Sims was averaging 25.2 minutes per game, ranking fifth in team minutes during that period. And it was easy to see why.
The Bucks, hungry for energy and rebounds, found a spark in Sims. His high-flying athleticism addressed a critical need: rebounding.
Not typically known for eye-popping stats, Sims began to fill the box score. He averaged 7.1 rebounds, 5.8 points, and 2.2 assists while shooting an astonishing 90.6 percent from beyond the arc. During this stretch, Sims pulled down 78 total rebounds, leading the team, with Ryan Rollins trailing at 61.
Given this level of productivity, especially in an area where the Bucks struggled, it was surprising when Rivers reduced Sims' minutes. In the last three games, Sims has seen just 15.9 minutes per contest, dropping to 12th in team minutes. Rivers appears to be exploring other options, though the reasons remain unclear.
Bucks lean back on veteran presence
Suddenly, Bobby Portis (27.6 minutes), Myles Turner (24.1), and Kyle Kuzma (24) have all moved ahead of Sims in the rotation. The rationale?
It seems Rivers is still experimenting to find the right mix. Cutting back on a player who was addressing a major team weakness is certainly a bold move.
Portis, at least, has justified Rivers' decision. Over these three games, he's been averaging 19.7 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Turner and Kuzma, however, haven’t mirrored that success. Turner is efficient but managing just eight points and 3.5 rebounds, while Kuzma is averaging 7.3 points on 35 percent shooting.
Those numbers fall short of making a significant impact.