Injured point guard Matthew Dellavedova has been cleared to return to action, Bucks head coach Joe Prunty confirmed today (Twitter link). It’s not clear what sort of role Dellavedova will have on Wednesday night in his first game back, but he’ll be available to play.
Dellavedova last appeared in a game on February 4, having been sidelined with an ankle injury since then. Initial reports suggested the veteran guard may only miss three or four weeks, but his absence ultimately stretched out over two-plus months.
While Dellavedova’s numbers in two years with the Bucks have been relatively modest (6.5 PPG and 4.4 APG on 38.5% shooting in 113 games), he has been a reliable three-point shooter and defender. The 27-year-old also has more postseason experience than most of his teammates, having made two runs to the Finals with the Cavaliers.
The Bucks’ backcourt is getting healthy at the right time. With the start of the postseason around the corner, Dellavedova’s return comes on the heels of Malcolm Brogdon returning to the court for the team on Monday.
Depending on the outcomes of tonight’s games around the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee will head into the postseason as either the sixth, seven, or eighth seed in the East.
Strong, tough, defensive-minded winner. Shoots a little bit, does the Dirty Work and believe me, the Cavaliers missed him last year.
He was on the floor quite a bit during crunch time. Always in the right place at the right time and had a nose for the ball. 6-4, 210 solid backup point guard.