Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard Has Hilarious Reaction to Pat Connaughton’s Monster 43-Point Performance

After being a key bench piece in Milwaukee for the better part of six seasons, Connaughton found himself demoted to the end of the bench this season. In just 40 games played this season, he averaged just 14.0 minutes per game, his lowest since 2016-17, his second year in the NBA (with the Portland Trailblazers). His 4.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game are also his lowest since that season.

But with Giannis and the rest of the key rotation players getting the game off, Connaughton found himself in the starting lineup. He used the opportunity to have the absolute best game of his career.

Connaughton finished the day with 43 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and two steals. He was 16-29 from the field overall (5-12 from three) and 6-9 from the free throw line.

Before Sunday, only three players in Bucks history had ever had 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, and five or more assists in a game. Those players are Giannis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Khris Middleton.

Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Damian Lillard Has a Hilarious Reaction to Pat Connaughton Scoring 43 Points

Damian Lillard, of course, did not play again as he is still recovering from a blood clot in his right calf. He was, however, an enthusiastic supporter on Milwaukee’s bench, along with Giannis, and was obviously thrilled with Connaughton’s play throughout the course of the game.

Afterwards, he joked that he was able to be so happy for his teammate because Connaughton did not break his own personal Bucks single-game high:

“PC was my rookie in Portland, so coming back here, he’s got grey hairs in his beard now. Playing the last game, you know, he knew he would be in and out of the rotation. Just a true professional. To have this type of night, it is only fitting for a guy like this man. Staying prepared, being in the gym, playing in the stay ready game.

“And I’m just happy didn’t break my Bucks career high. If he would have made those free throws, he would have gotten me, but he didn’t.”

Lillard’s career-high in points with the Bucks is 45.