NBA Finals: 3 takeaways from Bucks-Suns Game 5

NBA Finals: 3 takeaways from Bucks-Suns Game 5 – Pat Connaughton has been the most impactful role player of the NBA Finals

While the star trio of the Milwaukee Bucks stole the show throughout Game 5, Pat Connaughton absolutely deserves his praise as one of the heroes off the bench. Connaughton contributed 14 points on 4-of-6 3-point attempts, six rebounds, and effective defensive shifts across 33 minutes.

He’s made the most 3-pointers out of any player in these NBA Finals and has utilized his strengths as a floor spacer, versatile defender, and athletic rebounder to make an enormous difference for the Bucks. Connaughton has more than maximized his role in this series.

It’s even more impressive that he’s stepped up in the absence of starting two-guard Donte DiVincenzo, who suffered a season-ending foot injury during the first-round sweep against the Miami Heat. Connaughton has averaged 11.0 points per game on over 50.0 percent field goals and over 45.0 percent from beyond the arc through five games against the Suns.

Bobby Portis may be the fan favorite for the Bucks off the bench, but Pat Connaughton has been the most impactful, consistent bench guy for them across this postseason, and has been the best role player in these Finals – better than Portis, Lopez, Tucker, and any contributors from Phoenix’s bench. It has been a pleasant surprise for the Milwaukee Bucks.