Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers confirmed that Kevin Porter Jr. is “not going to play anytime soon” due to an oblique strain, which kept him out of Wednesday night’s 122-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Rivers did not provide any timeline for Porter’s return.
“He’s not going to play anytime soon, I can tell you that, but we don’t know how long he’ll be out,” the Bucks head coach remarked ahead of the game against the Thunder.
Doc Rivers full update on Kevin Porter Jr’s oblique strain.
“He’s not gonna play anytime soon, I can tell you that. But we don’t know how long he will be out.” pic.twitter.com/NBEu81WeD6
— Jackson Gross (@JGrossReporter) January 22, 2026
Rivers said he believes the injury happened three or four games ago and noted that Porter had been playing through the pain.
“He was playing through it. You could see him in the last two or three games grabbing it. They did an MRI yesterday, and it is what it is.” Doc Rivers continued.
Kevin Porter Jr.’s season with the Bucks
Dec 3, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) starts to celebrate a Milwaukee Bucks win over the Detroit Pistons 113-109 at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The 25-year-old Kevin Porter Jr. has averaged 16.8 points, five rebounds, and a team-high 7.4 assists over 28 games this season, ranking second on the team in scoring and first in assists. The Bucks will now have to adjust to playing without him on the court.
The 6-foot-5 guard/forward had already missed 19 games this season with ankle and knee injuries. He sprained his left ankle in the season opener, injured his right knee while rehabbing, and ultimately underwent surgery for a meniscus tear.
Milwaukee was also without Myles Turner on Wednesday due to a sprained left ankle, with coach Doc Rivers describing his status as day to day.
Jan 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Giannis Antetokounmpo carried the undermanned Bucks with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in 31 minutes, while Cole Anthony contributed 17 points off the bench, but their efforts weren’t enough to earn a victory.
Milwaukee dropped to 18-25 on the season, while the Thunder strengthened their record to 37-8.