The Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Memphis Grizzlies by the score of 125-104 on Friday night. The loss dropped them to 12-19 on the season and was their eighth consecutive loss against Memphis overall. Of course, the Bucks were playing without star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has missed eight straight games with a calf strain. Milwaukee has gone 2-6 in that time.
Over the course of Giannis’ absence, many players have tried to step up for the Bucks, but no one has been able to carry the team. One player that has been putting up decent numbers despite struggling is point guard Kevin Porter Jr., whom Milwaukee acquired last season in a trade for MarJon Beauchamp.
He particularly struggled with turnovers, yet again, against the Grizzlies, something that head coach Doc Rivers addressed after the game.
Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers still believes in Kevin Porter Jr.
Dec 26, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Last night, Porter had 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block. He shot just 4-15 from the field (1-7 from three) and committed seven turnovers.
It was the fourth time in the last five games Porter committed six or more turnovers.
After the game, Rivers had this to say about his starting point guard (per Eric Nehm):
“I thought the turnovers led to the [next mistake]. Scoot has a chance to be a terrific player, he does. Where he has to grove is get over the last play. His last mistake leads to his next mistake.
“And he’s young, especially he’s young at that position, and there’s some growing pains that you have to live through with him. And Ryan [Rollins]. And Unfortunately, that’s what we’re doing because we want to keep encouraging them to play hard, play well.
“And that is where I gotta keep doing a better job of trying to settle him and get him a play where the ball just gets out of his hands and moves, so that’s what we’ve been working on.”
Porter is in the midst of a career-year, averaging a personal best 20.0 points and 7.3 assists per game. If he can keep up that level of production while cutting down on his turnovers, then Milwaukee could have another star on their hands.
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