Shake Milton is playing the best basketball of his career, being a constant threat for the Sixers’ opponents in the last 5 games. Of course, he is getting the chance, mostly due to the fact that, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Josh Richardson are injured.
The most peculiar thing about Milton is that he was off Brett Brown’s plans after the All-Star game. Although, the 76ers are fortunate to see him balling due to their injury riddled squad in the last few weeks.
The unexpected run of the young Shake
In particular, Milton, 24, is averaging 22 points, 4.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 32.8 minutes in the last five games. He is also displaying his shooting ability getting his buckets on a 62.5% FG%, while he is making threes on an impressive 67.7% clip.
Furthermore, he tied the NBA record for consecutive three-points made (13) in the loss to the Lakers, while he was vital against the Kings, which mark the Sixers’ first road win in more than a month.
Namely, he had 20 points in 27 minutes, helping his team revive some of their lost confidence on the road. The SMU alumni scored in double digits for the sixth time in his last 7 games, being an important part of the Sixers’ rotation.
Out of the rotation
Many times, Brett Brown uses him as the main facilitator, now that Ben Simmons is out with a back injury, but during the All-Star break he told Milton that he was out from the rotation.
According to what Brett Brown said after Milton’s career-night, he was going to “run” with Simmons, Richardson and Burks in the perimeter for the rest of the season, leaving him out of the regular rotation.
“You sit down and you speak to every single player and explain very clearly that ‘this is your role.’ My discussion with Shake is that ‘you’re not playing. You’re not in the rotation. I’m going with [Alec Burks], [Josh Richardson], and Ben Simmons and you have to stay ready. This is your role, so that we are nice and clear.”
Milton is providing a much-needed shooting on this Philadelphia squad. If he continues to be in his current run of form, then he can remain to Brown’s plan for the rest of the season, even when Simmons and Embiid return to action.
Tonight, however, Milton will again be asked to produce in order for the injury-riddled 76ers to win another game in the road and improve their record away from Wells Fargo Center.
