Kevin Porter Jr has becomes the lead point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging a career high 7.8 assists. 

In his last five games, he's averaging nine assists per game and helping the Bucks to a 4-1 record. 

Speaking after the Bucks 115-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings, head coach Doc Rivers explained why he wants "Scoot" to have the ball in his hands. 

"At the end of the game, the ball has to be in his hands or Giannis' hands. That's where you do make a differentiation between who is the point and who is the two. I really got on [Kevin]. There were four possessions where there was someone else, and he just let them bring it up," Rivers said.

"I think we turned it over twice. That's where he's got to learn, 'You're the point guard. You go get the ball. Every time.' Or Giannis, but when Giannis is off the floor," he added.

Porter Jr is no stranger to being the lead point guard, as he was tasked with playmaking responsibilities during his time in Houston from 2020 to 2023.

After a domestic assault charge landed him playing in Greece for the 2023-24 season, he accepted a deal, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault and a second-degree harassment violation, leading to his return to the league by signing with the Clippers for the 2024-25 season.

He played sparingly for the Clippers, and for the Bucks following a midseason trade, but with Damian Lillard gone and Milwaukee needing creation next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Porter Jr was tasked with that responsibility. 

"He's learning," said Rivers on wanting Porter Jr to come back and get the ball if it doesn't start in his hands. "He even said, 'I'm not used to doing that.' I said, 'Well, get used to it. We want the ball in your hands.' Pressure doesn't bother him. You can see that. He's not going to turn it over overall. We want it in his hands."

To go along with his career high in assists, Porter Jr is averaging 18.6 points per game, the second highest number of his career.

He's shooting career best 46% from the field on top of a career best 38% from three. 

During the Bucks' recent run of five wins in seven games, those numbers have dipped to 16.7 points on 43% from the field and 20% from three. With his assist numbers rising, and Giannis and Ryan Rollins taking more of the scoring load, Milwaukee might be fine with the tradeoff.