The Milwaukee Bucks recently learned that they will miss Giannis Antetokounmpo for the next one to two weeks, as he manages a groin injury from Monday’s game in Cleveland. For much longer than that, the team has already played without point guard Kevin Porter Jr. Porter sprained his ankle in the season opener, then suffered a knee injury in a practice session that required surgery.
That news was announced back on October 31, with Porter given an initial return timetable of four weeks. Based on his and Doc Rivers’ comments today, it sounds like he is progressing right in line with the estimate, setting up a potential double return of Porter plus Giannis within the next couple of weeks.
Bucks haven’t been full strength all season – getting both Giannis and Porter back would be major boost after vulnerable stretch with Antetokounmpo sidelined
Thank the basketball gods for Ryan Rollins. That’s an appropriate mantra for Bucks fans as Rollins has stepped up in Porter’s absence as the starting point guard. More than that, he is well on his way to a Most Improved Player nomination if he keeps up anything like his current production (17.4 PPG, 5.3 APG, 51.4 FG%, 46.3 3P%).
Oct 22, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) goes down in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
As the team’s second-leading scorer and only other consistent creator, Rollins will take on an even greater burden without Giannis.
Obviously, getting Antetokounmpo back is the No. 1 priority for the Bucks, but Porter’s return could help immensely as well. Having Porter in the lineup, even Rivers decides to bring him off the bench, will remove some of the pressure and opponent focus from Rollins. He is a two-way weapon that Cole Anthony, who has struggled even offensively of late, is not.
The good news is that Porter is trending in the right direction.
Informed of the initial time table, Rivers said (via Eric Nehm of The Athletic), “Yeah, I think right on track then. He looks good. He ran skeleton today and he looked good.”
Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers talks to guard Kevin Porter (3) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
For his part, Porter is feeling his best since undergoing the surgery. In Wednesday’s practice, he took significant steps forward en route to an eventual return.
“Just stationary shots, moving shots. I did a lot of moving today,” Porter said of his activities, via Nehm. “Today was the best day, I would say, as far as movement and cardio and things like that, but I think now I’m at the place where I’m trying to get my body back active. Being down like that, I definitely don’t have my endurance, so I’m trying to get that back right and ramp up and keep the swelling down. Those are the main things we’re paying attention to right now.”
Clearly Porter’s return isn’t imminent, but coming back by, say, the first week next month seems to be in play. “It’s been good. We’re progressing and it’s going good.”
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!