The Milwaukee Bucks, playing the second game of a back-to-back, defeated the Washington Wizards by the score of 112-101 on Saturday night. It was a nice bounce back win after they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers by the score of 124-101 on Friday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 33 points and had 14 rebounds, three assists, and three steals against the Cavaliers, did not play against the Wizards. He was a late scratch due to his right knee tendinopathy, an injury that has plagued him all season long.
Additionally, the Bucks were playing without eight-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, who also missed their game in Cleveland on Friday night. He sustained a right calf strain in the Bucks’ win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup Finals.
Bobby Portis Led the Milwaukee Bucks to Victory Over the Washington Wizards

Without Giannis and Lillard in the starting lineup, head coach Doc Rivers gave Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins starts. Three-time All-Star Khris Middleton also made his first start of the year.
As has been the case since he arrived in Milwaukee, Portis thrived leading the team while their best players were out. He had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high eight assists while shooting 14-21 from the floor (6-9 from three). Portis also had three blocks and one steal.
Middleton played 24 minutes and had a season-high 18 points while shooting 7-14 from the floor (4-6 from three). It was the first game this season in which he made more than one three-point attempt.
Middleton also had eight rebounds and six assists.
Rollins and Brook Lopez had 14 points apiece while Gary Trent Jr. added 15 points off the bench.
Milwaukee native Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 26 points with most of his damage coming in the first quarter.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans Still Want Bobby Portis Traded

There was a time where Bucks fans adored Portis, especially after Milwaukee won its first NBA Championship in 50 years back in 2021. He also excelled filling in for Lopez in 2021-22 when the star center was out for most of the year following back surgery. That season, Portis averaged 14.9 points and 9.1 rebounds as the Bucks’ starting center.
But in recent seasons, and especially this year, fans have voiced frustration over his apparent lack of effort on defense and his tendency to shoot too quickly on offense.
Many of these fans are hopeful that NBA teams will see Portis’ performance against the Wizards and want to trade for him:
Bobby Portis against lottery teams when the Bucks are on a back-to-back. pic.twitter.com/WYzd9wtuLS
— Dan Shafer (@DanRShafer) December 22, 2024
Bobby has stepped up his scoring at times when needed, credit for that. I just really hope people don’t fall for these fake games tho. He’s shown to be a really bad fit when healthy and against good teams. Use these performances to help trade him
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) December 22, 2024
Id still trade Bobby Portis don’t get me wrong but he’s giving the Bucks what they need tonight against the Washington Wizards. Both things are true. https://t.co/xdhpksQBRq
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) December 22, 2024
This is the Bobby Portis game I hope the whole league is watching. This is a player other teams could use and can get the Bucks a win-win trade.
— Aitor Darias (@aitor_darias) December 22, 2024
Another Portis fake game vs trash team on regular season, but bucks fans will start saying again that Bobby can’t be traded. Just Hope Horst trade him for a good defender, because he’s getting a good price for himself now
— 🦚☀️🙏🏼 (@ruslanamvp) December 22, 2024
BOBBY PORTIS TRADE VALUE IS SKYROCKETING LFGGG 🚀 📈
— drenny🦌 (@giannis_x34) December 22, 2024
As much as fans may be frustrated with Portis at times, it is worth mentioning that his teammates love him, as do the coaches. There is, after all, a reason the Bucks decided to extend him a couple of years ago. Furthermore, he is a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate and has come in third in voting in each of the past two seasons.
Of course, the Bucks could still move him if they want to improve their defense off the bench. However, their options are limited in what they can get back in a trade because they are in the second apron of the NBA luxury tax.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis Put the Los Angeles Lakers on Blast After Winning the 2024 NBA Cup
- Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard Posts Big Flex Featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo After Winning the NBA Cup
- Milwaukee Bucks: Gilbert Arenas Criticizes the Oklahoma City Thunder for “Stupid Move” in NBA Cup
- Milwaukee Bucks Are Fielding Trade Calls to Improve Their Center Depth Alongside Brook Lopez
- “It’s Like Coaching Grown Ups;” Bucks’ Doc Rivers Reveals Why He Loves Coaching the Bucks
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