Milwaukee Bucks point guard Nate Wolters' rookie season will likely come to an end due to a broken left hand, Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. With only 13 games remaining in a disappointing season for the Bucks, they likely won't push one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal campaign.
Nate Wolters’ strong rookie season likely over due to broken hand
The injury may be disappointing, but this was definitely a positive year for the Bucks’ second-round pick.
Wolters last played Thursday night against Golden State. He left after a quiet 10 minutes, scoring just two points, and reportedly met with team doctor Michael Gordon on Friday. That’s likely when the severity of the injury was determined, as well as when Milwaukee decided to sit the rookie out for the rest of the season.
More at Brew Hoop: The diminishing returns of more playing time for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Drafted in the second round out of South Dakota State, Wolters earned the back-up point guard gig out of training camp and quickly proved to be of major value. A big-time scorer in college, he transitioned nicely to handling more traditional duties running the offense and finding open guys as a professional.
In 58 games this season, Wolters averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. He also showed an impressive ability to avoid turnovers for someone so inexperienced, committing just one per contest.
That efficient play has folks in Milwaukee excited, and along with first-round pick Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team's 2013 draft haul is looking strong. Brandon Knight, acquired from Detroit, was supposed to be the Bucks' possible long-term plan at point guard, but Wolters might have stolen that title.
Much of is it in the numbers for a team that’s typically gotten beaten up this season.
When Wolters was on the floor for Milwaukee in 2013-14, the team was only outscored by 1.8 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com. That’s a pretty incredible drop for a team that’s been outscored by 8.8 points per 100 overall this season, Wolters’ minutes included.
Neither of those numbers is really great (and the overall number is an outright disaster), but the fact that Milwaukee is so much better with Wolters on the floor doesn't seem unreasonable. He's been a much steadier presence than either Luke Ridnour (now traded) or O.J. Mayo (head coach Larry Drew's doghouse), two veterans who were supposed to steer the team.
So yes, the injury is disappointing, especially considering Wolters finally found his shooting stroke this month after a shaky start to the year. But given everything that he managed to accomplish this season, playing productive minutes in his first year for a lost-at-sea franchise, Wolters’ future seems bright.
Knight should still be around next season, but after grabbing a spot in the starting lineup in the weeks before his injury, that may be Wolters' job to lose come next training camp. With the addition of a top draft pick and more Giannis and John Henson, Milwaukee might be fun to watch next year.
See More:
