Bucks Rookie Nate Ament Suffered Ankle Injury

Milwaukee forward Nate Ament left a preseason game against Oklahoma City after sustaining a left ankle injury.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a basketball player in mid-motion, using team-colored green, cream, blue, and orange blocks. — Milwaukee Bucks rookie Nate Ament was sidelined during Monday's preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after sustaining a left ankle injury. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Milwaukee Bucks rookie Nate Ament exited a preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 7 after suffering a left ankle injury. The forward twisted in the air and landed awkwardly while driving to the rim.

Why it matters

The injury occurred mid-game, forcing the team to remove their rookie prospect for evaluation. His status remains uncertain as the Bucks navigate the remainder of their preseason schedule.

Ament sustained his left ankle injury with 1 minute, 31 seconds remaining in the first half. He was unable to convert two free throws following the contact before eventually walking to the locker room.

The players

Nate Ament

Nate Ament is a rookie forward currently playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cason Wallace

Cason Wallace is a professional basketball player who committed the foul during the play.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is an NBA player who fouled to stop play so Ament could leave.

Luke O'Brien

Luke O'Brien is a team associate who accompanied Ament to the locker room.

The details

Nate Ament twisted in the air while driving to the rim and landed awkwardly on his left foot. Following a foul by Cason Wallace and a subsequent stoppage of play triggered by Jaime Jaquez Jr., Ament departed the court with the assistance of Luke O'Brien.

October 7, 2026: Nate Ament suffered the left ankle injury during the preseason game.

Season Trajectory

This injury impacts the rookie's integration into the Bucks' rotation during a critical preseason development phase. A prolonged absence would alter the team's depth chart and preseason tactical evaluation.

Ament missed two free throws immediately following the injury and did not return to the game. His absence leaves a gap in the Milwaukee rotation for the remainder of the preseason exhibition series.

The takeaway

Rookie players face heightened physical demands during the transition to professional gameplay intensity. Monitoring initial injury reports is essential for understanding how rosters will adapt to sudden lineup changes during the preseason.