Taylor Jenkins Identifies Costly Problem After Bucks’ Loss to Lakers

Taylor Jenkins saw signs of progress from the Milwaukee Bucks against the Los Angeles Lakers. He also saw a familiar problem overwhelm much of that improvement.

Milwaukee lost 123-112 on Wednesday, falling to 1-11 with its eighth consecutive defeat. Tyler Herro scored 25 points and Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23, but those performances could not overcome the extra opportunities the Bucks surrendered. 

The most revealing part of Jenkins’ postgame assessment concerned how possessions ended. Milwaukee repeatedly made its own defensive work harder by failing to secure the ball after forcing a miss.

“The immediate fix is just a willingness to go hit more,” Jenkins said when asked about the Lakers’ 33-6 advantage in second-chance points.

His answer placed responsibility on the Bucks’ physical approach around the basket. Size contributed to the problem, he acknowledged, but Milwaukee also allowed opponents to keep possessions alive through tap-outs and persistent pursuit.

Jenkins singled out Jake LaRavia’s seven offensive rebounds as an example. Those plays gave Los Angeles additional chances to score after Milwaukee had already defended the initial action.

For the Bucks, getting a stop must include securing the rebound. Otherwise, even a well-contested shot can become the beginning of another defensive scramble.

That places responsibility on perimeter players as well as the frontcourt. Guards and wings must find opponents early instead of watching the ball and reacting after someone has already gained position.

Jenkins also identified ball security as an ongoing concern. He wanted simpler decisions and better awareness from players attacking the defense.

Milwaukee committed 19 turnovers, which Los Angeles converted into 28 points. Combined with the second-chance scoring disparity, those mistakes gave the Lakers too many ways to generate offense beyond their initial half-court possessions. 

The Bucks showed stretches of the ball movement Jenkins wanted, particularly before halftime. He felt the offense became less fluid in the third quarter, leaving Milwaukee vulnerable when its initial action did not create an opening.

Quicker decisions would help address that issue. Moving the ball before pressure arrives can reduce the difficult passes and crowded drives that invite turnovers.

Jenkins moved Jaquez into a reserve role and gave Nate Ament his first start. The intention was to add size to the opening lineup while giving the second unit another dependable offensive option.

Jaquez’s scoring offered encouragement, although Jenkins emphasized that one game was too small a sample to settle the rotation. He remained open to evaluating different combinations as players become available.

That experimentation will matter only if Milwaukee improves the habits shared across every lineup. Boxing out, protecting the ball and covering for teammates cannot depend on which five players are on the floor.

Jenkins described the night as progress despite the result. The Bucks’ next task is turning that progress into possessions they can finish—and games they can win.