Where exactly would the Milwaukee Bucks be this season without Bobby Portis? In trouble, truly. With typical starting center Brook Lopez missing the entire season following the season opener to undergo a sudden back procedure, Portis has valiantly stepped into the starting unit and taken his game to new heights. While he has played the best basketball of his career all throughout the year, Portis has turned things up a notch further following the 2022 NBA All-Star break.
Looking at Bobby Portis’ production for the Milwaukee Bucks following the 2022 All-Star break
It comes in a small sample size of just three games, but Portis has been exceptional recently by averaging 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 30.2 minutes per game. Portis has scored the basketball at an incredibly high level in this stretch, shooting 24-of-44 (54.5 percent) from the field, including an insanely efficient 14-of-27 (51.9 percent) from behind the arc. The big man has tallied the most made field goals and most 3-point makes on the team in this stretch, showing his lethal scoring ability throughout three memorable performances.
Portis’ first game back from the break was his best of the season as he tallied a new season-high 30 points while also pulling down 12 rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets. His big night was fueled by a stellar shooting performance from behind the arc, where Portis knocked down a career-high eight 3-pointers. The Bucks ultimately lost the game, but Portis certainly served as a bright spot in what was a grueling defeat, to say the least.
Following that tough loss, Portis helped the Bucks get back on track against the Charlotte Hornets by scoring 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. It was yet another efficient scoring outing for Portis as he shot 7-of-14 from the floor, knocking down four triples in the process. It was also the second consecutive double-double for Portis with his 10 boards, proving to be a force all over the court from start to finish as the champs got back in the win column.
Most recently, Portis was key in Milwaukee’s come-from-behind victory against the Miami Heat this past Wednesday. While his numbers were down compared to the previous two games as he tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, the big man made an impact elsewhere this time around for the Bucks. Portis helped defensively by notching two blocks and two steals, one of which proved to be critical. Using his great hands, Portis stole the ball from Tyler Herro with just a tick under 17 seconds remaining, which led to a Khris Middleton 3-pointer that pulled the Bucks within a point before Jrue Holiday’s eventual game-winner.
Overall, Portis has been nothing short of exceptional following the All-Star break, as it looks like he took time to get refreshed. Hopefully the center can keep the ball rolling as the Bucks look to build some momentum down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs. Portis is in a great groove right now, and it has helped the Bucks tremendously through this 2-1 start after the break.
In 54 appearances this season, including 49 starts, Portis is averaging 15.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 28.9 minutes per game in what has been his best season as a professional.