Portis embraced the Three-Point Contest, but the rapid pace and logo shots tested his skills.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis stepped into All-Star Saturday Night as the lone big man in the 2026 Three-Point Contest and while the final numbers weren't what he hoped for, he walked away with nothing but good things to say about the experience.
Portis scored 15 points across his five racks, which was the lowest total among the eight-player field, but the 31-year-old wasn't hanging his head after the event.
"Man, it was fun out there. First time doing it, you know?" Portis said. "I came out hot, felt good early, but those logo shots and the pace... it's different when you're rushing racks like that."
The Pace Was Different
Anyone who watches Portis play knows he has a slower, more deliberate release compared to the guards he was competing against, and that showed once the clock started ticking.
Portis has been one of the most efficient shooters at his position all season, knocking down 45.1 percent of his threes while averaging 13.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, but the rapid-fire nature of the contest didn't play to his strengths.
The logo shots, worth three points each, added another layer of difficulty, and the fast pace of moving between racks threw off his rhythm.
Damian Lillard ended up winning the contest with 29 points in the final round, edging Devin Booker by two points in a thrilling finish to claim his third career Three-Point Contest title, tying Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most all time.
Where Milwaukee Stands
Portis's trip to All-Star Weekend comes at a time when the Bucks need him more than ever.
Milwaukee sits at 23-30 heading into the break, which puts them 12th in the Eastern Conference and 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final Play-In spot.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists before going down with a calf injury, has no timetable for his return, and the Bucks have been fighting to stay alive without him.
Despite the tough stretch, Portis told media at All-Star Weekend that he believes the team is trending in the right direction and that the Bucks have "more than enough" to make a run once everyone is healthy.
Milwaukee picked up three straight wins heading into the break, including an upset over Oklahoma City, and Portis was a big part of that run.
He scored 21 points in a win over Indiana right before the break, and head coach Doc Rivers noted how important Portis is to the team's success off the bench.
Is Portis Staying in Milwaukee?
For those wondering if Portis will be in a Bucks uniform after this season, the answer is yes.
He signed a three-year, $44 million contract with Milwaukee last summer after declining his player option, and the deal runs through the 2027-28 season with a player option in the final year.
Portis has been a fan favorite since arriving for their championship run in 2020-21 and at 31, he's still one of the better reserves in the league.
The Bucks held on to both Portis and Giannis at the trade deadline, and Portis will be a key piece of whatever push Milwaukee makes in the second half.