Doc Rivers puts Cam Thomas in elite sixth‑man company after 34-point Bucks burst

Cam Thomas needed only two games in a Milwaukee uniform to earn heavyweight praise from Doc Rivers. After the 24-year-old guard erupted for 34 points off the bench in a win at Orlando on Wednesday night (ET), Rivers likened Thomas to two of the NBA’s gold-standard microwave scorers: Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams.

A 34-point statement in 25 minutes

Thomas delivered a game-high 34 in just 25 minutes, shooting 12-for-20 from the field and 4-for-6 from deep, with four rebounds and two assists. He started slowly—two points on 1-for-5 in the first—then ignited in the middle frames. He tallied nine in the second quarter and took over in the third with 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting and a perfect 4-for-4 at the line, helping Milwaukee seize control.

In the fourth, Thomas added eight more, punctuating the night with a cold-blooded 30-footer. With 43.5 seconds left and Orlando electing not to foul, he held the ball near the logo, read the defense as Jalen Suggs sagged, and stepped into the dagger three that sealed it.

Rivers’ comparison: Crawford, Williams … and now Thomas

Rivers, who coached both Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams in prior stops, didn’t hesitate to connect Thomas to that lineage of elite bench scorers. He praised Thomas’ natural ability to get buckets while noting teachable moments—an occasional forced look or overdribble—that staff can refine without dimming his aggression. The message was as much endorsement as blueprint: the role is real, and the leash is long enough for Thomas to be himself while sharpening edges.

“He wants to do right. He wants to play well,” Rivers said. “We’re going to give him every opportunity. The guy is a natural scorer.”

‘More than just a scorer’: Thomas’ evolving game

Thomas embraced the confidence and added that his value extends beyond pure shot-making. He highlighted playmaking and decision-making under pressure, elements he believes are often overshadowed by his scoring reputation. A late-sequence read underscored that point: after a Franz Wagner miss with Milwaukee up two inside 1:30, a crossmatched Magic defense left a center on Thomas in transition. Kevin Porter Jr. fed him immediately, trusting the hot hand. While the box score won’t reflect it as a spectacular dime or conversion, Rivers singled out Thomas’ composure and choice on that possession as one of the night’s smartest plays.

“Everybody knows I can score … but I am more than just a scorer,” Thomas said. “Drawing the defense, making the right play—that’s part of my game, too.”

From Brooklyn exit to Bucks boost

Thomas’ surge comes days after a sudden reset. Waived after the trade deadline, he quickly agreed to join Milwaukee and cited the franchise’s longstanding interest as a key factor. He had signed a one-year qualifying offer last summer and averaged 15.6 points and 3.1 assists this season after returning from a left hamstring strain, with a three-year scoring clip of 21.4 points per game. Trade talks earlier in the week did not produce a deal, clearing the path for Milwaukee to add him outright.

Thomas’ scoring punch addresses a clear need. Milwaukee has often labored offensively when Giannis Antetokounmpo sits, and a reliable, self-creating guard gives the bench a defined identity. The early return suggests the fit can be immediate.

Rotational ripple effects and what’s next

With Antetokounmpo sidelined by a right calf strain, Rivers has leaned on opportunistic scoring by committee. Thomas’ arrival reshapes those calculus problems in crunch time, offering a late-clock bailout option and a pick-and-roll threat that bends defenses. While Rivers has reiterated there are no plans to shelve Antetokounmpo for the season, the team’s pathway back into the mix requires sustained bursts like Wednesday’s and incremental defensive tightening around them.

Two games are a small sample, but the contours are familiar: instant offense, rapid-fire confidence, and the willingness to take and make the toughest shot on the floor. If Thomas continues blending that aggression with the connective passes Rivers spotlighted, Milwaukee may have found the spark plug it has been missing.