Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is in the middle of a career year shooting from 3-point land. In mid-January, Portis is second in the league in three-point percentage at over 47% on 4 attempts per game. Recently, Portis shared the details behind how he has leveled up his above-average shooting percentage to now being among the best in the league.
Bobby Portis Is Having A Career-Year From 3
Bobby Portis has been a mainstay of the Milwaukee Bucks rotation dating back to the 2021 NBA Finals run where the Bucks became NBA Champions. During the team’s run to the Finals, Portis was an immense contributor off the bench. Averaging 11.4 points per game and over 7 rebounds, Portis finished top ten in voting for the 6th-Man of the Year award. His 47.1% from 3-point land on 2.4 attempts per game was the best mark of his career.
Jul 17, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) celebrates with Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) against the Phoenix Suns in the first half during game five of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Flash-forward to 2026, and Portis is elevating his three-point shooting even more. Sitting in mid-January, Portis is at 47.2% from deep on an elevated volume of now 4 attempts per game. The percentage ranks 2nd in the league behind only Luke Kennard of the Atlanta Hawks. Head coach Doc Rivers has been very complimentary about the veteran forward’s recent stretch of performances.
I asked Doc Rivers about Bobby Portis’ play over the last 12 games, which has seen him put up five double-doubles.
His averages over that span: 15.3 PPG (4th), 8.3 RPG (2nd), 48.6% FG (5th), 46.3% 3PT (1st) (4.5 attempts per game) pic.twitter.com/XorJEiKjB0
— Jackson Gross (@JGrossReporter) January 13, 2026
Although Portis is having a down year in overall production (down 0.9 points per game and 1.9 rebounds from last year), his shooting efficiency has been much more attractive. His 57.8% effective field goal percentage is the highest of his career since the Finals run.
Dec 11, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) shoot a three-point basket in the fourth quarter against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Portis has even been hyped by some as a potential participant in the NBA All-Star Weekend 3-Point Content. When Portis recently went on the Old Man and the Three podcast, formerly hosted by now-Lakers head coach JJ Redick and currently hosted by his friend Tommy Alter, Portis expressed that he would love to participate in the festivities of the 3-Point Contest. What is more interesting are the small details Portis revealed are allowing him to have the best shooting year of his career.
Bobby Portis Credits One Small Change and the Advice of a Former Teammate for His 3-Point Success
Speaking with Alter, Portis referenced being teammates with Damian Lillard allowed him to gain new insight into shooting. Watching Lillard always be able to find the seams of the ball and shoot with great balance is something Portis admired and wanted to incorporate into his game.
Feb 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Working with his trainers in the summer, Portis worked on being able to grab the ball and locate the seams faster in order to speed up his release, a skill that is especially important during games when a defender is rapidly closing out to contest a shot.
“You gotta be able to shoot the close out and be able to get to the seams of the ball fast.”
For those wondering what Portis and his trainers specifically work on, it starts on the delicate level of watching the ball fly through the air when being passed. Reviewing film to this level of detail helps Portis adjust his hands and always catch the ball in an optimal way.
“Looking at how the ball’s in flight, being able to grab it in the correct way, or whatever it is, to turn to the seams and shoot it.”
Dec 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) shoots against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Having a quick release has become more and more important over the years as the NBA game evolves. Early in his career, Portis was a non-threat from three-point territory: a below-average percentage shooter on very limited volume. Over time, as he grew his game, the amount of defenders respecting his ability meant harder closeouts when he caught the ball and much less wide-open catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Almost all shooters perform worse when sped up, but working on being able to save some precious tenths of a second by catching the ball with ideal hand placement can be the difference between a rushed shot that is off the mark and a steady and confident release that goes in. Clearly, Portis has taken to heart some of these little details, and the results speak for themselves.
Nov 18, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) shoots during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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