The Herd is going through the motions of functioning as a G League team, waiting to finish out the remainder of a fruitless season. The stakes are getting lower, and the Herd is looking inside to see which players might remain on their roster or, better yet, join an NBA team.
Wisconsin Herd 113, Osceola Magic 126
Kira Lewis Jr.: 36 minutes, 28 points, 3 rebounds, 10/16 FG, 2/6 3FG, -14
Stephen Thompson: 39 minutes, 27 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals, 9/20 FG, 3/7 3FG, -3
The Herd’s away match at Osceola wasn’t very close despite the high-scoring efforts of Lewis, Thompson, Mark Sears (21 points, seven assists), and some others. Although they kept the first quarter close, closing it down by six, a significant 14-2 run helped Osceola stretch their lead to 18 points by the half. After that, the Herd struggled to stop the Magic’s bruising offensive style of play and strolled to a 14-point win.
With all of the Herd’s two-way players unavailable, the scoring responsibilities rested on guys like Lewis, who contributed 28 points off the bench on 63% true shooting. Lewis, a former lottery pick who struggled to get game time in New Orleans and Utah, has shown genuine scoring and playmaking potential, matching an NBA rotation guard. Lewis’s speed accentuates his tight handle and ability to convert tough layups in the air. His shooting has long been a concern, but he’s become efficient inside (59.6% on two-pointers), and he’s showing signs of improving from range (career-high 33.7% three-point average)
Wisconsin Herd 115, Windy City Bulls 116
Cormac Ryan: 33 minutes, 29 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 9/17 FG, 3/5 3FG, +12
Alex Antetokounmpo: 15 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 1/4 3FG
Mark Sears: 35 minutes, 20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 7/19 FG, 3/8 3FG, +2
Monday’s game against the Windy City Bulls seemed to go as expected: the Herd’s opposition jumping out to an early lead, and despite hot three-point shooting, they controlled the game. However, the Herd fought back in the second half against the Bulls and kept an otherwise out-of-control game very close.
After getting Ryan back from Bucks duty, they gained a new level of lethality from range. However, the turning point for the Bulls, who needed to win to stay alive in the G League’s playoff race, came with Kevin Knox II’s third-quarter outburst. Knox was unstoppable from deep, helping the Bulls pull away early in the fourth quarter. Although Ryan and the Herd rallied to keep it close at the end, the Herd had to play the foul game at the end, dropping them to 9-22, the worst in the East.
With his 29 points against the Bulls, Ryan is now up to an average of 22.1 points per game on .491/.439/.870 shooting splits. His game shows a player whose main strengths lie in his consistent, dead-eye shooting, but he also offers a versatile skillset, including rebounding, playmaking, and active defense. Ryan made his Bucks debut against the Jazz on Thursday, scoring five points on four shots. Although his first minutes in a Milwaukee uniform started slowly, Ryan may be a name to watch in the Bucks’ long-term plans.
Motor City Cruise 123, Wisconsin Herd 105
Alex Antetokounmpo: 29 minutes, 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2/6 FG, 1/2 3FG, 6/8 FTA, -9
Kira Lewis Jr.: 33 minutes, 19 points, 4 assists, 7/14 FG, 2/6 3FG, -4
Stephen Thompson: 32 minutes, 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers, 6/13 FG, 3/5 3FG, -11
In an unremarkable Friday night game, the Herd fell early against the Motor City Cruise and never found their footing. The Herd didn’t lead at all during the game, and the closest they got to challenging the Cruise was with Mark Sears’ early pair of three-pointers. Without Ryan and Nance, the Herd shot around 36% from three and 43% from the line, but the biggest problem was defense: they couldn’t stop the hot perimeter shooting from guys like John Ukomadu and Bobi Klintman.
Hey, at least Stephen Thompson’s alright! The Oregon State alum is averaging career highs in points (17.9 per game), shooting (.480/.442/.739), rebounding, and assists. Thompson has bounced around from overseas league to overseas league, but his standout season with the Herd could earn him a callback overseas next season, or better yet, a place on an NBA roster.
One important narrative worth following through the last two weeks of the season is John Butler’s efforts to bulk up and add some mass to his spindly seven-foot frame. Butler started the season at 190 pounds, but is now reported at 225 pounds. He’s reached career highs in rebounds (5.7) and steals per game (1.7), and although his rim protection has sagged, Butler is becoming more physical around the rim. Should he stay in the Milwaukee organization through the summer, Butler’s physical development could be something to track; his shooting and finesse could earn him a spot on a roster soon.
Does Davis deserve an NBA spot?
Could Johnny Davis ever live up to the NBA hype that his Badger career promised? At this rate, no. Davis’s move to Oshkosh was supposed to be a second wind, but the red flags surrounding his range as a shooter and shot selection have persisted. Davis’ efficiency has stagnated with the Herd, if not worsened. His reliance on an old-school bully-ball and midrange-focused shot diet didn’t hold up in the modernized NBA. Davis needs to develop his three-point shot if he wants to have any chance at the league.
The Herd held a HER night game on Friday against the Motor City Cruise, wearing specialty jerseys featuring purple, the color symbolizing gender equality, and the lotus flower. The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit We EmpowHER, a local non-profit providing support and mentorship for women of all ages.