AJ Green is a fan favorite, except for in that game against the Brooklyn Nets that Milwaukee Bucks went on to lose.

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Dec 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) shoots against Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Bucks can only afford limited mistakes with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard still out due to non-covid illness.

Unfortunately for them, one mistake happened and is being singled out. Unfortunately for Green, he is at the center for it.

The play in question is the ‘double team’ that he and Bobby Portis did against Ben Simmons beyond the three-point line. Nobody doubles Simmons in that area and so, they paid the price.

The 2018 Rookie of the Year acknowledged the defensive lapse by his opponents and gave the rock to Cameron Johnson who hit the three point shot plus the foul with 40 seconds remaining.

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Before that play, Nets were up by just one point.

Green admitted that he made a poor decision on that play.

Dec 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) spins towards the basket around Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

“I should have just not switched it, probably. Because Simmons isn’t – like there was contact and you could switch, but Ben wasn’t really in a spot of where he had Bobby, so I should have stayed connected, stayed with Johnson, so gotta be better,” he said as quoted by The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.

The Bucks went on to lose the game, 105-11. It is their first defeat in the last three games that both Antetokounmpo and Lillard did not play.

Dec 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Doc Rivers defends decision to give more AJ Green minutes

Green and Andre Jackson Jr. grew into regular rotation players for the Bucks.

However, against the Nets, Jackson Jr. did not get much.

December 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers addresses the media in a press conference during practice prior to the Emirates NBA Cup semi-finals at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Rivers said it is because he stuck with Green whom he thought was playing well defensively.

“We liked what we had, I thought AJ was doing a better job.. I thought AJ Green guarded Cam better than andre tonight and the added shooting helped us..”

Rivers, Green, and the Bucks have a chance to make up for the heartbreaking loss when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.