Bucks Zone

“It was a great opportunity for Lindell” - Mike Bundeholzer reacts to Lindell Wigginton's stellar game in first career start

Lindell Wigginton showed what he can do when given ample playing time.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Milwaukee Bucks

With the number one overall seed in the bag, the Milwaukee Bucks had the luxury of resting their star players and parading their seldom-used players in their final regular season home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

It was an opportunity for the subs to strut their wares, and one of those who made the most out of the opportunity was Lindell Wigginton.

Stellar first career start

Wigginton came into the game averaging less than 10 minutes of playing time but against Memphis, he was on the floor for 41 minutes in his first career start.

Wigginton made every minute count as he finished with a stellar double-double of 25 points and 11 assists.

After scoring only eight points since he was signed by the Bucks to a two-way contract last March, the 6-foot guard showed his scoring ability against the Grizzlies by going 10-for-20 from the field, including a 4-for-10 clip from the three-point area.

Wigginton also added five boards and a block.

Great opportunity

“It was a great opportunity for Lindell. He brings toughness, competitiveness. He makes shots. He gets to the paint,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.

According to OptaSTATS, Wigginton is the first NBA player to have 25+ points and 10+ assists in his first career start since Isiah Thomas on October 30th, 1981.

The Bucks went on to lose 134-117. In that harmless defeat, the Bucks were able to see what their bench players could do, and Wigginton showed that if given the minutes, he could be a dependable asset.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.