Injury changes lineup
Brogdon replaces Dellavedova
Minneapolis — Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova injured his right hamstring in the team’s victory over Detroit on Wednesday and will miss two games, coach Jason Kidd said following the team’s shootaround Friday morning at the Target Center.
Kidd put rookie Malcolm Brogdon in the starting lineup Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking his first NBA start after coming off the bench in the Bucks’ first 30 games.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Brogdon said of being in the starting lineup. “When someone goes down, the next man has to step up. Delly can’t be replaced (with) what he brings to the team, his unselfishness.
“I think I’m in a great situation. I have great teammates that believe in me, and I also have a great coach. It’s been a transition that has allowed me to gain confidence.”
Dellavedova’s injury forced the first lineup change since Kidd inserted John Henson as the starting center on Nov. 27 in Orlando.
The Bucks had played the last 16 games with the same lineup, featuring Dellavedova, Henson, Tony Snell, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker.
The 24-year-old Brogdon has emerged as one of the league’s
top rookies while playing a key reserve role for the Bucks. He had a careerhigh eight assists in 28 minutes against Detroit on Wednesday as the Bucks cruised to a 119-94 victory. One week ago he scored a career-high 17 points and added seven assists in the Bucks’ 12396
win over Washington at home.
“This is a very important road trip, these four games,” Brogdon said. “Coming out with three of the wins would be huge for us. So we’re trying to make sure that happens.”
Kidd said Dellavedova would be re-evaluated after 48 hours so would miss both games.
But the Bucks received some good injury news, too, as forward
Mirza Teletovic was cleared to return after passing tests in the league concussion protocol. The 6-foot-9 forward missed the two previous games after a collision with Washington’s Jason Smith on Dec. 23 caused a concussion.
Rashad Vaughn, a Minneapolis native, was not with the team as he continues to recuperate after spraining his left ankle in practice last week.