What does the loss of Bobby Portis mean for the Milwaukee Bucks?
The forward and sixth man of the year candidate was diagnosed with an MCL sprain
Bobby Portis is much more than a fan favorite for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is a reliable contributor on a team with aspirations of winning a second NBA title in three seasons. After turning down more money elsewhere to sign with the Bucks, Portis has found a home in Milwaukee. Now, coach Mike Budenholzer is challenged with replacing the production of his Sixth Man of the Year candidate, who has played in every game thus far this season.
Yesterday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Portis suffered a right knee MCL sprain and "will miss some time." The Bucks later confirmed the report, adding that Portis also sustained a right ankle sprain. Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported it is a Grade 2 MCL sprain.
It is unclear how much time the Bucks' reserve forward will miss, but a Grade 2 MCL sprain typically comes with a 4-6 week recovery time. That puts the timetable for Portis' return somewhere in the range of late February to early March. Portis suffered the same injury while with the Chicago Bulls in the 2018-19 season, which sidelined him for 47 days. The Bucks said they would re-evaluate Portis' injury in two weeks.
Portis' absence leaves Milwaukee bereft of depth at center. While Brook Lopez has played in all but one game this season, the Bucks now lack a big man behind him. That player behind Lopez and Portis was supposed to be Serge Ibaka, but Ibaka is no longer with the team as Milwaukee's front office tries to move him in a trade. The next option for coach Budenholzer is Sandro Mamukelashvili, who is on a two-way contract. Although based on the typical timetable for an MCL sprain, Budenholzer should expect Portis to return for the playoffs, it is essential to note that two-way players are ineligible for the playoffs.
The injury almost certainly ends Portis' candidacy for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Less than a week ago, his odds were as short as 16 to one, but after his injury, most sportsbooks made Portis' odds twice as long or more to win the award as they were before the injury. On the year, Portis has averaged 14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He is the only player with listed odds for Sixth Man of the Year averaging a double-double.