Kevin Porter Jr. sparked the charge Tuesday night, attacking early and often as the Milwaukee Bucks pulled away for a 128 to 117 victory over the Miami Heat.
Even as Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors swirled at the beginning of February, Milwaukee refused to let the speculation distract them. The Bucks responded by tightening up their play and winning seven of their last 10 games this month, pushing through the noise with a sharper, more confident approach.
Doc Rivers: "This was a big response for us. This is what we haven't done this year. We'll get a nice stretch of games going, then we'll lose and then the next game, we kind of give in again. And tonight, there were stretches where we could have gave in and we didn't." https://t.co/ZjXomoELel
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 25, 2026
Porter Jr. powered the Bucks with 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Ryan Rollins and Bobby Portis each had 21 points while Kyle Kuzma added 19.
The teams traded punches for most of the night, with the Bucks matching the Heat possession for possession. Milwaukee stayed within reach before tightening up on defense late in the fourth quarter. The Bucks strung together stops, shut down Miami’s rhythm, and ripped off an 11 to 0 run to seize control. That surge sealed the win and pushed Milwaukee to 25 and 31 on the season.
Doc Rivers commends the Bucks in their bounce back win
Jan 29, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts to a call during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has noticed a clear shift in the way his players approach the game, and he takes pride in the stronger mindset they have developed in recent weeks.
“This was a big response for us. This is what we haven’t done this year. We’ll get a nice stretch of games going, then we’ll lose and then the next game, we kind of give in again. And tonight, there were stretches where we could have gave in and we didn’t,” the Bucks head coach remarked via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
Rivers seems to settle in when he guides a short handed roster that many view as lacking firepower, pushing that group to compete beyond expectations. How else can you explain the lift the Bucks have found in their recent stretch of games?
Jan 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Doc Rivers guided the 2019 Los Angeles Clippers, a roster without a clear-cut superstar, and still pushed the Golden State Warriors to six games in a competitive first round playoff series.
Now he is steering a depleted Bucks lineup and consistently placing them in spots where they can compete and close games. At times, Rivers can project anxious energy on the sideline, especially when expectations rise and the pressure to deliver starts to build.