Tuesday night vs Chicago (24-26), the Milwaukee Bucks (18-29) will already be down Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique), Garry Harris (hamstring), and Taurean Prince (neck). Now they might be missing Bobby Portis as well due to a right hip contusion. Portis is listed as questionable as of Tuesday afternoon. Inserted into the starting lineup with Giannis sidelined, he is one of the Bucks’ only remaining bucket-getters on an understocked roster now significantly compromised by injury.
Portis absence would stretch the Bucks even thinner
In 47 games this season, in which he has played in all but two contests, Portis is averaging 13.2 points and 6.7 rebounds on 48/45/71 splits. Since early in the year, however, his production has picked up in a major way. Before an eight-point outing against Boston – when Milwaukee was held to a season-low 79 points as a team – Portis had clipped double figures in nine straight games. Before that, he strung together a 10-game streak to close out December. Since December 1, he has averaged over 15 points per contest.
It’s possible Portis has already played his last game as a Buck. As Milwaukee recedes from buyer status at the trade deadline, of course, he no longer makes sense as an outgoing salary in a swing for a highly paid star. All the same his “hot streak,” which now spans most of the season, could still motivate the Bucks to move him for future assets as they trend toward a second-half tank.
Jan 27, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
If Portis sits out against Chicago, the Bucks’ most likely adjustment would be opting for a small-ball lineup featuring Gary Trent Jr. at the three with Kyle Kuzma at power forward.
Alternatively, they could give Pete Nance the nod, smoothly filling Portis’ spot at the four. In 18 minutes against the Celtics, Nance went 3-6 from the field for seven points and four rebounds.
The Bulls will be without multiple key contributors of their own. No Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, or Zach Collins. Kevin Huerter and Jalen Smith are listed as questionable. Recent trade addition Dario Saric has been ruled out for the game. The Bulls acquired Saric to make the money work in a three-team deal with Cleveland and Sacramento in exchange for a pair of second-round picks.
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