Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton will miss approximately four weeks after undergoing surgery to a fracture in his right hand, the team announced Monday.
In light of the injury, the Bucks will now aggressively pursue free-agent-to-be Goran Dragic, reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Toronto Raptors traded the 35-year-old ball-handler to the San Antonio Spurs at the deadline, but the latter will reportedly buy him out. Milwaukee's expected to be one of several teams with interest in the 14-year veteran, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets, among others.
The 29-year-old Connaughton fractured the fourth metacarpal in his right hand during the Bucks' loss to the Phoenix Suns Thursday. Officials called a foul on Connaughton when he attempted to defend Chris Paul's layup in the third quarter, and he then grabbed one of his fingers in discomfort.
Here is the play that Budenholzer said caused Connaughton's injury (both normal speed and 1/4 speed): pic.twitter.com/mNm1D9C9EF
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 11, 2022
Connaughton is averaging career bests in scoring (10.1 points per game) and 3-point shooting (40.7%) through 54 games this campaign, making 18 starts. He's also recording 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for Milwaukee, which sits two games behind the Miami Heat for first in the East.
