Bobby Portis delivered a standout performance with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Washington Wizards 112-101 on Saturday night. Replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo in the starting lineup, Portis shot 14-of-21 from the field, including six three-pointers, to set a new season high in scoring.
The Bucks, now 15-12, played without Antetokounmpo, who missed his third game this season due to back spasms, and Damian Lillard, sidelined with a right calf strain. Khris Middleton added 18 points, six rebounds, and eight assists in his second game back-to-back as he works his way into shape after offseason ankle surgery.
Rookie Ryan Rollins, starting in Lillard’s place, contributed 14 points and two assists in 31 minutes, while Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. added 14 and 15 points, respectively.
The Wizards, falling to 4-22, saw strong performances from Jordan Poole, who led the team with 26 points, and Bilal Coulibaly, who recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite their hot start, shooting 72% in the first quarter, Washington cooled off significantly in the second, making just 23.8% of their shots during that period.
Milwaukee used a dominant 15-2 run early in the third quarter, spearheaded by Middleton’s three three-pointers and a mid-range jumper, to build a commanding 80-58 lead. The Wizards struggled to recover, committing 19 turnovers that the Bucks converted into 24 points.
Portis’s explosive first half included 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting, helping the Bucks maintain control throughout the game. The Wizards’ defense couldn’t contain his versatility, as he excelled from beyond the arc and in the paint.
The Bucks’ bench provided critical support, with Gary Trent Jr. chipping in 15 points and AJ Green dishing out six assists. On the Wizards’ side, Corey Kispert and Carlton Carrington combined for 23 points off the bench but couldn’t spark a significant comeback.
Milwaukee’s 44.9% shooting and 20 made three-pointers proved decisive. The Bucks also outpaced Washington in assists, 35-20, showcasing their ball movement and ability to capitalize on the Wizards’ defensive lapses.
The Wizards continue to struggle, dropping their third straight game as they navigate injuries to key players like Kyle Kuzma and Saddiq Bey. Meanwhile, the Bucks aim to maintain their momentum as they await the returns of Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
