The Milwaukee Bucks have regained momentum lately, and tonight’s 116-108 win over the Orlando Magic just solidified their intent. They want to be a playoff team. In a game without Giannis Antetokounmpo and breakout guard Ryan Rollins, they managed to wear out a solid Eastern Conference rival, and there was one clear factor that head coach Doc Rivers recognized after the game.

“I’ve had Jamal Crawford, I’ve had Lou Williams, and now I have Cam Thomas,” Rivers told the media. “Cam wants to do right. He wants to play well. You can see that. And we’re going to give him every opportunity. I mean, the guy is a natural scorer, and you can see that.”

Thomas, who played his second game for the Bucks today, went off. In 25 minutes off the bench, he logged a game-high 34 points on 12 of 20 from the field, hitting four threes and all six of his free throws. This is a season-best mark for the guard. He also punished Jalen Suggs hard on one of his threes after he sagged off.

Rivers’ praise is not to be taken lightly. Over his career as a coach, he has witnessed some of the most gifted microwave scorers the league has seen, and by invoking names like Crawford and Williams, he clearly defined Thomas’ role next to Antetokounmpo.

Rivers has plenty of experience working with smaller, score-first bench guards. Crawford and Williams possess six Sixth Man of the Year nods, with four of them coming under Rivers.

The coach made it clear that Thomas will have enough opportunities to learn and sharpen his skill set, something the Bucks have badly missed in recent seasons. They are one of the worst offensive teams in the league when Antetokounmpo sits out, and that hurts especially now as he recovers from a calf strain.

That’s where Thomas can make his impact: creating buckets from nothing.

Cam Thomas has a chance to reset his career next to Giannis Antetokounmpo

Cam Thomas has had a turbulent career. He entered the league on a contending Brooklyn Nets team behind Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, showing flashes as an offensive guard who could hold spot minutes. He broke out in his third season, leading the team in points per game and showing potential as a near-24-a-night scorer.

However, a hamstring injury has disrupted his rhythm this season, and after a contract dispute with the Nets in the offseason, he was cut at the trade deadline.

In Milwaukee, he’s not going to be a central offensive piece. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s gravity ensures that Thomas won’t face doubles every time he touches the ball. Instead, he can focus on torching second units and putting up numbers, something that’s been a strength his entire career.

Thomas started slowly against the Magic. He scored only 2 points on 1 of 5 shooting in the first quarter, but started to get going from the second quarter onwards, scoring 9 points and hitting 3 of 4 shots. The third quarter was even better: he scored 15 points, making 5 of 6 shots and all his free throws, adding 8 more points in the fourth quarter, including 5 in the final three minutes.

Of course, there are weaknesses to Thomas’ game.

“Probably forced one or two today where he over-dribbled,” Rivers admitted. “You live with that, and you teach that to get that out of him.”

For now, all Thomas needs to do is be the insurance for when the key starters, like Antetokounmpo, hit the bench, and he can secure a future with the Bucks and quietly reshape his career.