MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 21: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a three point shot … [+]
The chips were stacked against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo were out, and the team was slogging through the second game of a back-to-back—a scenario ripe for a letdown. But Bobby Portis wasn’t about to let that happen.
The veteran forward didn’t just rise to the occasion; he owned it, delivering a Bucks career-high 34 points on 14-of-21 shooting, including a scorching 6-for-9 from three. He almost added a triple double as well, finishing with ten rebounds and eight assists over the now 4-22 Washington Wizards.
Yes, the Wizards are a disaster of a team, but this performance wasn’t just about the opponent. Portis showed why he remains an integral piece for Milwaukee, especially in moments when their stars are sidelined.
For only the second time this season, he found himself in the starting lineup and wasted no time making an impact. On Milwaukee’s opening possession, Portis set the tone. Coming off a back screen from Khris Middleton, he moved into one of his sweet spots on the left block.
Ryan Rollins delivered a perfect entry pass, and Portis spun over his right shoulder to knock down a smooth 12-foot turnaround jumper.
From there, it was a clinic. He used his size, footwork, and touch in the paint to score efficiently, adding his next two buckets off pivots and soft finishes. By the time the first quarter was over, Portis had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
This type of assertiveness has been sorely missed during a season where Portis’ efficiency has taken a hit. According to Cleaning the Glass, he’s averaging 114.2 points per 100 shot attempts, ranking in the 43rd percentile among bigs. That’s a significant drop from the 118.9 he posted during his first season in Milwaukee, and much of it comes down to shot selection.
Portis has fallen in love with mid-range jumpers, taking as many of them this season as he has threes and shots at the rim combined. The problem is that mid-range shots are the least efficient looks in basketball, especially when contested, and they’ve weighed down his scoring impact.
But against Washington, that trend flipped. Of Portis’ 21 shots, nine came from behind the arc, and five were at the rim. For those mathing at home, two-thirds of his shots were from the money spots. It’s not a coincidence it resulted in a scoring explosion.
It also helped that he didn’t force the action or veer out of the offense. Instead, he let the game come to him, kept the ball moving, and capitalized on what the defense gave him.
This performance couldn’t have come at a better time. Portis has been the subject of trade rumors dating back to the offseason, but Milwaukee has held onto him, valuing his offensive versatility and ability to create mismatches. While his defensive struggles remain a concern, his scoring skill set is a luxury most contenders would love to have off the bench—or in spot starts like this one.
If Portis wants to cement his value to Milwaukee, Saturday’s game provided the blueprint. More threes, more attacks at the rim, fewer contested mid-range jumpers. That shift, paired with continued defensive focus, could make him indispensable during the playoffs.
For now, Portis has reminded everyone why Milwaukee trusts him. Performances like this aren’t just helpful in a star-less night—they’re necessary for a Bucks team eyeing another deep postseason run.
Saturday wasn’t just a big night for Portis; it was a glimpse of the player Milwaukee needs him to be.
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