Isaac Okoro Praised For Defensive Effort After Cavaliers Defeat Bucks
The Cleveland Cavaliers split a road back-to-back against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 112-100 win on Friday night.
While the star Cavaliers duo of Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen combined to score 56 points, another member of the Wine and Gold played just as much of a part in the team’s victory.
Although he had just three points and one assist offensively, Isaac Okoro was a major contributor on the defensive end of the floor.
He had a significant role in limiting recently-named 2024 NBA All-Star starters Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to a combined 44 points on 16-for-37 (43.2%) shooting from the field.
Okoro tied game-highs of two blocks and two steals on the defensive end of the floor. His +12 plus/minus was tied with Mitchell for the second-highest of the game, trailing only Allen’s +14. And, he was one of four Cleveland players to play at least 30 minutes.
Jan 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) and Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reach for a rebound during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum.
© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
After the game, Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff described what the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft brings to the team.
“He’s Isaac, and he’s a gem. If you don’t love the game of basketball, or study it, or pay attention to it, you can easily miss his value. But if you know the game of basketball, and you understand what it takes to make ‘team,’ and what it is to make a winning team, you know just how valuable he is. Especially in this league.”
Bickerstaff ultimately explained that the team has faith in Okoro no matter what defensive assignment he is given.
“Isaac gives us a boost. Everybody believes when he’s on the ball, it’s ‘Advantage Isaac,’ and I think he just continues to show that.”
