By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 20:27 EST, 21 January 2026 | Updated: 20:27 EST, 21 January 2026
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers says Kevin Porter Jr. is "not going to play anytime soon" from an oblique strain that made him unavailable for a Wednesday night game with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Rivers didn't specify a potential return date for Porter.
"He's not going to play anytime soon, I can tell you that, but we don't know how long he'll be out," Rivers said at his pregame availability.
Rivers said he believes the injury happened "three or four games ago."
"He was playing through it," Rivers said. "You could see him in the last two or three games grabbing it. They did an MRI yesterday, and it is what it is."
The 25-year-old Porter has averaged 16.8 points, five rebounds and a team-high 7.4 assists over 28 games this season. He ranks second on the team in scoring.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
The 6-foot-5 guard/forward had missed 19 games earlier this season due to ankle and knee injuries. He sprained his left ankle in the Bucks´ season opener, hurt his right knee while working his way back and ended up undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear.
Milwaukee also didn´t have Myles Turner available Wednesday due to a sprained left ankle. Rivers described Turner´s status as day to day.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr., third from left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson, left, center Zeke Nnaji and guard Jalen Pickett defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)