Imagine a team mired in a seven-game losing streak, their longest slump in over a decade. That was the Milwaukee Bucks until Saturday night, when Giannis Antetokounmpo single-handedly flipped the script. But here's where it gets controversial: Was it simply Giannis' dominance, or did the return of Kevin Porter Jr. play a bigger role in the Bucks' resurgence than we're giving him credit for? Let's dive in.
Led by Antetokounmpo's jaw-dropping 29-point, eight-rebound performance in just 19 minutes, the Bucks dismantled the Brooklyn Nets, ending their longest losing streak since January 2014. But Giannis didn't just help his team win—he made history. Midway through the third quarter, he drained a corner three-pointer, becoming the 42nd player in NBA history to score 21,000 career points. And this is the part most people miss: at just 26 years old, he's the sixth-youngest player ever to reach this milestone. Talk about elite company.
Saturday's game also marked the return of Kevin Porter Jr., who had missed 19 of the Bucks' first 20 games due to injuries. Porter, who started the season opener with a bang before spraining his ankle, tore his meniscus during recovery, requiring surgery. In his return, he logged 13 points, four rebounds, and six assists in just 25 minutes, showcasing the potential that made him a starter in the first place. But here's the question: With Ryan Rollins stepping up as one of the league's breakout stars in Porter's absence, how will the Bucks balance their backcourt moving forward?
The win brought the Bucks (9-12) closer to a .500 record, a feat largely attributed to the returns of both Antetokounmpo—who recently missed four games with a left adductor strain—and Porter. While Giannis' impact is undeniable, Porter's presence adds a dynamic playmaking element that could be the X-factor in Milwaukee's playoff push. And this is where it gets even more intriguing: Can the Bucks sustain this momentum, or will their injury-prone roster derail their season once again?**
As the Bucks look ahead, one thing is clear: Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the cornerstone of this team, but the supporting cast—Porter, Rollins, and others—will determine just how far they can go. What do you think? Is Giannis the sole reason for the Bucks' turnaround, or does Porter deserve more credit? Let us know in the comments!
This story will be updated.
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Eric Nehm is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Milwaukee Bucks. Previously, he covered the Bucks at ESPN Milwaukee and wrote the book "100 Things Bucks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." Nehm was named NSMA's 2022 Wisconsin Sports Writer of the Year. Follow Eric on Twitter @eric_nehm.
