Malcolm Brogdon is back, with his usual shooting, defense and drives to the rim

The long wait for Malcolm Brogdon's return is over.

The Milwaukee Bucks guard, who has been out since March 15 due to a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, was back in action for Game 5 on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum. He entered the game to start the second quarter. 

Brogdon finished with 10 points, four assists and three rebounds in 17 minutes in the Bucks' 116-91 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday at Fiserv Forum.

"He actually played more than we anticipated, more than we planned," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "He felt good. The green light as far as him wanting to play more and the medical agreeing that he could play more.

"I thought he was very good. That is incredibly difficult to come off a (injury) right at six weeks, give or take a little bit, and then to come in to a playoff game and contribute right away."

Brogdon provided his usual mix of shooting, defense and hard drives to the rim.

"I felt like I was 100 percent," Brogdon said. "It's one of those things where you come back, your team's playing really well without you, so you don't want to mess up chemistry. You don't want to force stuff.

"You want to ease your way into the game and try to help them a little bit. I tried to do that."

Budenholzer stuck with Nikola Mirotic in a starting role alongside Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez.

Coming into the game in the second quarter was also an adjustment for Brogdon.

"It's part of the job," Brogdon said. "Coach Bud is a master communicator. It was something we talked about before the game, so I knew when I was going in. 

"I knew sort of the rhythm of what was going to go on for me. So I had time to prepare myself. But regardless, you got to remain a professional."

Brogdon started all 64 regular-season games in which he played, averaging a career-high 15.6 points per game while shooting 50.5% overall, 42.6% on three-pointers and leading the league at 92.8% from the free-throw line. The third-year guard also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 28.6 minutes per game.

"He's been incredibly diligent with his work and his rehab," Budenholzer said. "He's such a pro. He loves playing and this is playoff time."

While Brogdon was a key piece of the Bucks' success before suffering his plantar fascia injury, Milwaukee has performed well without him over the past two months.

The Bucks closed the regular season with an 8-5 record in Brogdon's absence, including wrapping up the best record in the NBA. The Bucks also easily dispatched the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs and then took a commanding 3-1 lead against the Celtics without Brogdon. 

Middleton said Brogdon's return gives the Bucks an "extra spark." 

"He's a great player," Middleton said. "Someone that we missed for a long time. To bring a starter back, whether or not it's on a minutes-restriction or whatnot, just to have him available is huge for us. 

"Just another quality piece that we can bring to our depth."

Brogdon started five of the seven games in last season's first-round series with the Celtics. He scored 16 points in the Bucks' victory in Game 6 but struggled with 1-for-8 shooting as Boston eliminated Milwaukee in Game 7.

"He's a guy that's a great defender," Middleton said. "Great penetrator, shooter. Makes big shots, big plays.

"Just to have another guy that's been in big moments, succeeded in those moments is huge."

Middleton knows it might take some time for Brogdon to get back to game speed.

"Get the rust out as quick as you can," Middleton said. "It's tough, sitting out this long and then coming back for a big playoff game. 

"We all understand, we've all been there. Just play ... we're glad to have him back out there and have fun with it."