Johnson won't start Wednesday's regular-season opener against the 76ers.
With most of Milwaukee's regulars resting, Johnson started the preseason finale. However, aside from Khris Middleton (ankle), the Bucks are healthy, so Johnson isn't guaranteed playing time versus Philadelphia.
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Bucks' AJ Johnson: Draws chance to start
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Johnson is starting Thursday's preseason game against the Mavericks.
Johnson will get an opportunity to enter the starting lineup Thursday as the Bucks are sitting the majority of the usual starters. Johnson is starting alongside Gary Trent, Taurean Prince, Tyler Smith and Liam Robbins.
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Bucks' AJ Johnson: Provides 13 points off the bench
Rotowire
Johnson tallied 13 points (5-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt), four rebounds and three assists across 22 minutes in Thursday's 107-102 loss to the Lakers.
Johnson elected to play in Australia rather than commit to Texas, and despite shaky results down under, the Bucks were impressed enough with his work at the combine. Johnson is likely headed to Milwaukee's G League team as a project for the future. He has a lot of raw talent, but his thin and wary frame needs some development. Still, there's merit to Milwaukee's pick when you consider the aging group of guards ahead of him. Giannis Antetokounmpo may find himself without a supporting cast in a few years if he chooses to stay in Milwaukee, and a promising guard who is a couple of years from full-time play fits well with the team's long-term future.
Bucks' AJ Johnson: Surprising pick at No. 23 to Bucks
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Johnson was selected with the No. 23 pick by the Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Often placed in the late second round in mock drafts, Johnson is a shocking pick by the Bucks at No. 23, even in a relatively weak and open draft. After being a four-star recruit in high school, Johnson participated in the Australian NBL's Next Stars program last year and averaged 2.9 points in 7.7 minutes with the Illawarra Hawks. The 6-foot-4 guard is clearly raw, but he's shown flashes as a quick, scoring combo guard. It's unclear if he'll even be in Milwaukee's rotation, but if he is, it will be as a sparkplug off the bench.
