With the Milwaukee Bucks still on the outside looking in for the NBA Playoffs, Bobby Portis recently addressed what the team needs to do in order to climb back into the postseason picture. Speaking with Malika Andrews on ESPN’s NBA Today, Portis gave his perspective on why Milwaukee has been so up-and-down this year and what the team needs to do in order to find consistency.
Dec 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) celebrates with Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) after making a shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Bobby Portis Speaks on How the Milwaukee Bucks Can Revive Their Playoff Chances
Bobby Portis has been playing well for the Milwaukee Bucks as of late. His statistical production is on the rise, and his stellar three-point shooting has been starting to get some national media recognition. Portis recently discussed what has helped him have the best shooting season his career on the Old Man and the Three Podcast last week.
This week, Portis took the time to converse with ESPN’s Malika Andrews on NBA Today. When asked about his shooting improvement, he spoke to some of the same details but also made sure to point out that he has been a strong deep-ball shooter ever since he got to Milwaukee. In addition to reiterating his desire to participate in the 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend, he put himself forward as an award candidate for 6th-Man of the Year as well.
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
More significantly, Portis addressed the team’s inability to string together wins this year. Halfway into the 2025-26 season, the Bucks have yet to have a three-game win streak and are sitting at 18-24. When Andrews asked Portis what the key to Milwaukee making the playoffs is, Portis had an honest and introspective response.
“The Milwaukee Bucks will be in the postseason if we buy in and compete together. I think one of our Achilles’ heels this season has been when we play against teams that probably aren’t that good, we kinda play down to the level of the competition, and then we kinda lose those games.”
The veteran forward said that the team has done a poor job providing the prerequisite competitive spirit on a nightly basis. He used the words “fire” and “pop” to describe what the team has lacked.
Bobby Portis Jr. joins @malika_andrews on NBA Today to discuss Milwaukee’s season thus far, Giannis trade chatter and the Bucks’ playoff hopes 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/m4t5AoqozQ
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
Bobby Portis Provides Important Perspective on Struggling Milwaukee Bucks
Portis is one of the few remaining championship pieces from the 2021 Finals run. Players that have been a part of highly successful teams know when their squad has what it takes, but also when it doesn’t. Portis is well aware that the standards on the current Bucks team are not what they need to be, and improving from a player mentality standpoint is what can help the team start to stack quality performances and build win streaks.
Nov 1, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) takes a shot against Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Portis downplayed any potential effect of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions that have done hundreds of laps on media and television programs like NBA Today and stated that they do not stand in the way of the team building the necessary camaraderie. His stance on the situation has been maintained throughout the season, even when new reports would emerge that seemed to fan the flames of speculation or douse them completely.
Nonetheless, Portis’ claims that the team is lacking the day-to-day details and focus to execute is definitely supported by the on-court product. Head coach Doc Rivers has a lot of work to do to maximize what this squad can accomplish this year.
Dec 11, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) grabs a rebound against Boston Celtics forward Hugo Gonzalez (28) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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