Bobby Portis Jr. is heading to Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend, but not just to soak up the spotlight-he’ll be stepping into the 3-point contest, a stage usually reserved for guards and wings. The Bucks big man is making a strong case that stretch fours belong in the conversation, too.
Portis has quietly put together one of the most efficient shooting seasons of his career, and it’s not just good for a big-it’s elite, period. He’s knocking down 45.1% of his threes this year, which ranks sixth in the NBA and ties him for fifth with former Buck Sam Merrill.
That clip also puts him in rare air in Milwaukee franchise history, tied for the seventh-best single-season mark ever. For a player who’s made his name on energy, rebounding, and toughness, Portis has added a lethal outside shot that’s become a real weapon in the Bucks’ offense.
Since arriving in Milwaukee back in the 2020-21 season, Portis has shot 40.5% from deep. This season trails only his debut year with the Bucks (47.1%) in terms of efficiency, and he’s averaging just under two made threes per game-both career highs. His selection to the contest isn’t just deserved-it’s a recognition of how much his game has evolved.
Joining Portis in the 3-point shootout is a familiar name making an unexpected return: Damian Lillard. The former Buck and current Trail Blazer hasn’t played this season after tearing his Achilles during last year’s playoffs, but he’s healthy enough to let it fly from deep. This will be Lillard’s sixth appearance in the contest, and he’s got the hardware to back it up-he won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, the latter coming while wearing a Bucks jersey.
Lillard’s return adds a compelling twist to the event. He’s not expected to play again this season, but his inclusion in the shootout is a nod to his legacy as one of the game’s premier long-range threats-and perhaps a reminder of what could’ve been for Milwaukee if not for the injury.
The field is stacked with talent and storylines. Wisconsin native and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel will be making his debut in the contest, adding a local angle to the mix. Meanwhile, reigning champ and fellow Wisconsinite Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat won’t be defending his title this time around.
Other sharpshooters in the field include Devin Booker (Suns), Norman Powell (Heat), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), and Tyrese Maxey (76ers). That’s a group loaded with scoring firepower, but Portis has the numbers to stand tall among them.
Despite a rocky season for the Bucks, who sit at 21-29, the team has been one of the league’s best from deep. Milwaukee ranks second in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 39.2%, trailing only the Nuggets (39.6%). That efficiency has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise inconsistent campaign.
Portis’ appearance marks the third straight year a Bucks player has participated in the 3-point contest, following Lillard’s back-to-back runs. The franchise has a solid history in the event-Khris Middleton competed in 2016 and 2019, Ray Allen won it in 2001 and made appearances in 2000 and 2002, while Eric Murdock represented the team in 1994. And let’s not forget Craig Hodges, who helped launch the competition into the spotlight with appearances from 1986 to 1988 as a Buck before continuing his run with the Bulls.
Now, it’s Portis’ turn to carry the torch. He’s not just a fan favorite in Milwaukee-he’s become one of the league’s most reliable stretch bigs. And come February 14, he’ll have a chance to show the basketball world that his jumper deserves center stage.