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Jericho Sims may have been the most impactful player on the court

Video courtesy of Milwaukee Bucks.

The Milwaukee Bucks got back on the right side of win column Saturday night with a 108-105 takedown of the Phoenix Suns and it took the efforts of just about everyone on the roster to get it done. 

Ryan Rollins got himself a double-double with 10 rebounds and a game-leading 26 points while shooting 10-19 from the field and Kyle Kuzma added 20 points of his own before leaving the game with Achilles tightness.

Ousmane Dieng and Gary Trent Jr. had strong showings with 11 points each and overall, it took the efforts of every Bucks to get the win against a tough Suns team. 

Cavaliers guard James Harden passes the ball around Bucks center Jericho Sims during the first half Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesCavaliers guard James Harden passes the ball around Bucks center Jericho Sims during the first half Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One Milwaukee player who provided a plethora of value, even if he didn't do it with his own scoring, was Jericho Sims. The scrappy center had 11 rebounds, eight of them offensive, in the game and the way that he grabbed his boards was a sight to behold, especially to head coach Doc Rivers. 

Rebounding Impact

"He's a grown man. That's how he plays," Rivers said of Sims. "He gets beautiful rebounds. He gets rebounds in traffic. Some of his rebounds, they really are beautiful to watch. He was great tonight. We needed every one."

Tip-off between Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) and Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn ImagesTip-off between Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) and Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Looking at the entire team's score sheet, they truly did need every single one of Sims' offensive boards. He was the only one on the entire team to get an offensive rebound, even though the Bucks grabbed more rebounds as a whole compared to the Suns.

The extra opportunities that Sims created were especially needed in a game that was decided by just three points. The Bucks weren't doing much to create extra scoring opportunities otherwise. 

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn ImagesCleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Sims the Difference Maker

Milwaukee took 11 less shots than Phoenix and even though the Bucks were shooting more efficiently, that disparity in overall attempts meant they still made one less field goal than the Suns did.

Without the huge rebounding effort from Sims on the offensive end of the court, the Bucks simply wouldn't have had the volume to overcome the Suns, despite having a better shooting night. 

It's wins like Friday's that reveal just how important every player on a team can be and how many different ways there are to affect winning.

Sims may not have had the most mind-blowing numbers on the stat sheet at the end of the night, but in the context of what was needed to win the game, there may have been no other player on the court who had a bigger impact.  

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