Watching the Milwaukee Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo has been tough. However, one shining light is Kevin Porter Jr.'s performances, with the NBA world realizing that the Bucks fans who predicted he would play like an All-Star were right.
KPJ has been a bright light in a dim Bucks' spell
The Bucks are on another tough losing streak following Sunday night's defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves. For large parts of the game, Milwaukee was in control but let the game slip out of their grasp. Porter stood out once again, flirting with a triple-double as he ended the night with 24 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, and four steals on 8-for-17 (47.1 percent) shooting.
For the season, he is now averaging 20 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on splits of .489/.474/.872 in just 10 games played.
Losing Giannis twice already this season was always going to be difficult for the Bucks to manage, and Porter has stepped up while others have struggled with the increased responsibility. His shot creation was going to be key to the Bucks, but doing it at a high efficiency is a real positive for the team, given the huge question mark around his play.
Other injuries haven't helped with Taurean Prince missing long-term, leaving the wing position short-handed. AJ Green has returned but has looked far from comfortable when on the court. Leaving the likes of Porter with a lot of responsibility in what is the first starting role he has taken on since his time in Houston.
One of the best Bucks wins of the season was on the back of a great Porter performance. The victory over the Boston Celtics, where he put up 18 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds, displayed his ability to help in all areas of the game.
He is certainly playing like an All-Star, but it may be too late for him with how some stars have blossomed in the Eastern Conference this season. With the format changing for this season, guys like Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Duren have become more or less locks for the festivities. Then you have the likes of Norman Powell, Jalen Johnson, and Josh Giddey putting up ridiculous numbers, with Porter's early injury perhaps knocking him down the pecking order.
Milwaukee's re-signing of Porter to a $5.1 million deal with a player option for the 2026-27 season looks like another steal. Right now, he is playing at a level that some Bucks fans predicted of him in a larger role. It has been a pretty spell for the Bucks, but Porter is providing some form of positivity.