Kevin Porter Jr. just can’t seem to catch a break this season. After battling back from multiple injuries, the Bucks guard is now sidelined again-this time with an oblique strain that’s expected to keep him out for the foreseeable future. Head coach Doc Rivers didn’t mince words when asked about Porter’s status: “He’s not gonna play anytime soon, I can tell you that.”
It’s another tough blow for a Milwaukee team that’s already had to navigate long stretches without Porter. The latest injury reportedly occurred three or four games ago, and if you’ve been watching closely, the signs were there.
Over that span, Porter’s numbers dipped noticeably-just eight points per game on 26.2% shooting. That’s a far cry from the dynamic scoring punch he’s brought when healthy.
The pain was visible, too. In a recent win over the Atlanta Hawks, Porter played 28 minutes but was clearly laboring.
On Milwaukee’s very first possession, he was seen clutching at his side, and he didn’t even make it back down the court on defense before signaling something was wrong. It was one of those moments where you could tell something wasn’t right, even before the official diagnosis.
Unfortunately, this is just the latest chapter in what’s been a frustrating season for Porter. He played only nine minutes in the season opener before an ankle injury knocked him out.
Just as he was ramping back up, a meniscus issue set him back another month. Now, with the oblique strain, he’s facing yet another uphill climb to get back on the floor.
And the timing couldn’t be worse for the Bucks. Porter has been their second-leading scorer this season and a crucial piece in their offensive engine. Since returning from his earlier injuries, he’s been a steady presence-creating his own shot, facilitating for others, and giving Milwaukee a much-needed secondary option behind their top stars.
Now, that responsibility falls to others, and all eyes turn to Ryan Rollins. The young guard has shown flashes, but he’s struggled to find consistency lately.
If Milwaukee is going to stay afloat, Rollins will need to step up in a big way. The Bucks have dropped three of their last four and are currently sitting six games under .500.
With the playoff race tightening, they can’t afford to fall much further behind.
This stretch was already going to be critical. Now, without Porter, it becomes even more so. The Bucks need production, leadership, and stability-and they need it fast.
We’ll continue tracking how Milwaukee adjusts without one of their key playmakers.