Porter Jr. is still encouraged by the Bucks' fight.
The Milwaukee Bucks came up short against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, falling 123-116 in a game that was closer than the final score might suggest.
Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, and was also missing Myles Turner due to a right calf strain.
Still, the Bucks hung around all night and made the Cavaliers work for every inch of their lead.
Porter Jr. Keeps It Real After the Loss
After the game, Kevin Porter Jr. spoke about how the team handled itself in a tough spot.
"I think you know we can live with this type of loss especially how you know it's been," Porter Jr. said. "We competed 48 minutes and you know it was a tough one but we can live with this loss."
That type of mindset says a lot about where Porter Jr. is mentally right now, and it shows that even in a loss, the Bucks are finding something to build on when they play a full game like they did Tuesday.
The game featured 11 ties and 16 lead changes, which shows just how competitive things were from start to finish, and Milwaukee even shot 20-of-45 from three-point range to keep the pressure on Cleveland all night long.
Porter Jr. Led the Way for Milwaukee
Porter Jr. was easily the best player on the floor for the Bucks, finishing with 25 points, 10 assists, and three rebounds in 33 minutes while shooting 8-of-15 from the field and going a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.
It was another double-double for a player who has turned into one of the most reliable guards in the league this season, and his season averages of 17.4 points, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game only tell part of the story.
Porter Jr. has been especially good when Antetokounmpo is out of the lineup, and his ability to take over as the lead playmaker has given Milwaukee a fighting chance in games they probably should not be winning.
His two-way play has been a constant bright spot throughout the season, and his willingness to step up in big moments has earned him a ton of respect from teammates and coaches.
Ryan Rollins also chipped in with 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting and added four assists, continuing what has been a strong breakout season for the fourth-year guard out of Toledo.
Where Things Stand for Both Teams
The loss drops Milwaukee to 28-40 on the season, which puts them 11th in the Eastern Conference and well outside the play-in picture with the Charlotte Hornets sitting seven games ahead of them at 35-34.
It has been a rough year for the Bucks, between Antetokounmpo's injury issues and the overall roster turnover, but Porter Jr. has been a consistent bright spot and his competitive fire has been a big reason why Milwaukee has not completely fallen apart.
Cleveland improved to 42-27 with the win and sits fourth in the East, as Evan Mobley and James Harden both finished with 27 points to lead the way for the Cavaliers.
The Bucks have dealt with injuries all season long, and Tuesday's loss was another reminder that even when this team competes, the lack of healthy bodies makes it really hard to close out games against elite opponents.
Porter Jr. himself missed significant time early in the year after tearing his meniscus in his right knee, which required surgery in early November, but since coming back he has shown that he can handle a lead role on a nightly basis.