Bucks' Parker takes another step forward

Published

Welcome to the 2017-18 edition of the Young Bucks Tracker. This year, we're taking a different tact. With Milwaukee now having a G League franchise, the Wisconsin Herd, each Thursday we'll either track the progress of the players who might be of help to the Bucks in the future or a current member of the Milwaukee roster. We'll also give updates on the other young players from the previous week.

This is the 16th edition of the 2017-18 Young Bucks Tracker.



SPOTLIGHT ON …

Forward Jabari Parker

If Parker isn't quite at 100 percent 20 games into his return from a torn ACL, he's not letting on. The 23-year-old forward dunked all over the Atlanta Hawks last week, and turned in his most productive game of the season Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo nursing an ankle injury, the Bucks needed more than usual from the rest of their core against L.A. Khris Middleton played nearly 37 minutes and chipped in 23 points. Eric Bledsoe was on the floor for 35:35, contributing 19.

Parker was right there with them. He played just over 30 minutes for the first time since his injury last season, went 9-for-15 from the field and scored 20 points, another first since the injury. Parker was particularly active against the Clippers, finishing with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

For context, Parker was averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 33.9 minutes per game last season.

"I've been waiting for that for a long time," he told reporters following the Bucks' loss to the Clippers.

It's another step forward for Parker, who could be line to earn even more minutes with the Bucks battling for playoff positioning and Antetokounmpo ailing. Parker has yet to start a game this season.

BUCKSHOTS

-- The Bucks have Antetokounmpo listed as doubtful with a right ankle sprain heading into a matchup Friday with the Chicago Bulls.

-- After playing fewer than 10 minutes in three straight Sterling Brown played 12:16 against the Clippers, scoring seven points and grabbing three rebounds.

-- Xavier Munford, who signed a two-way contract with the Bucks in January, scored a season-high 46 points in the Wisconsin Herd's 119-112 loss to the Westchester Knicks on Wednesday.