Before the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, the team announced that guard Kevin Porter Jr. would miss the game due to significant swelling in his right knee. This development comes as the Bucks had just welcomed back star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, adding pressure to the team’s difficult situation. The uncertainty around the extent of Porter’s injury has raised concerns about its potential impact on the Bucks’ season.
Doc Rivers Shares Cautious Assessment of Porter Jr.’s Condition
Head coach Doc Rivers addressed the status of Kevin Porter Jr.’s knee during a pregame press session, revealing that the injury had been an ongoing issue for about two weeks. Rivers expressed worry over the recent swelling and acknowledged that further medical assessments were necessary. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Rivers said,
“We’re hoping not. I’ll just leave it there. They’re gonna do more stuff tomorrow to check, but it’s a lot of swelling and then you have concerns…Ifs been bothering him the last couple of weeks, really, but it just hadn’t swollen up the way it has, so there’s some concern there,”
highlighting the delicate nature of the situation.
Impact of Porter Jr.’s Absence on Milwaukee’s Playoff Hopes
The Bucks are currently striving to stabilize their season and remain competitive in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament race. While the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo offers an important boost, losing Kevin Porter Jr. creates a substantial setback. Porter Jr. has been a key contributor this season, averaging 17.5 points along with 7.4 assists per game, making his presence critical for the team’s offense. In his absence, Ryan Rollins has assumed a more prominent role as Milwaukee attempts to fend off the Atlanta Hawks, a group led by Jalen Johnson.
Outlook and Next Steps for the Bucks
Milwaukee is set to provide a more definitive update on Porter Jr.’s injury following additional tests scheduled for Thursday. Until then, the team faces the challenge of rebounding from a lopsided 113-131 defeat to Atlanta. The Bucks’ ability to navigate this stretch without one of their key playmakers will be pivotal as they aim to secure a position in the play-in tournament and keep their postseason hopes alive.
Doc Rivers, when asked if Kevin Porter Jr.'s right knee swelling is serious and cause for concern: pic.twitter.com/chWxKGYHiG
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) March 5, 2026
Doc Rivers, when asked if Kevin Porter Jr.'s right knee swelling is serious and cause for concern: pic.twitter.com/chWxKGYHiG
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) March 5, 2026
