Bucks Zone

Bobby Portis Jr. will be available for the Milwaukee Bucks season opener

Bobby is one hundred percent ready for the brand-new season.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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After missing the final two games of the preseason, Bobby Portis Jr. assured that he will be available for the Milwaukee Bucks’ season-opener on Thursday night.

A knee contusion forced Portis to sit out Milwaukee’s final two preseason games, but skipping a couple of contests was just “for maintenance,” said the veteran forward, who participated in the team’s open scrimmage at the Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon.

Bobby is good to go

When asked if he would be suiting up when the Bucks open their regular season game on Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers, Portis gave a positive response.

“I think I'll be great, good is an understatement,” Portis said, per Jim Owczarski of the Journal Sentinel.

Portis had a busy off-season as he suited up for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup. The 6-foot-10 big man will be entering his fourth season with the Bucks.

New challenge

The workhorse forward has become one of the Bucks’ most dependable assets as he is coming off a superb season.

Portis played 70 games last year and averaged 14.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 26 minutes of play per game.

“It’s a new year. Every year in the NBA is different. Every year is gonna test you in a different way. Every team is different as you play on. You go into the season, you kinda don’t know what to expect. It's just a lock on,” said Portis.

The Bucks are looking to rebound from a disappointing campaign last season that saw them failing to get past the first round.

For the upcoming season, Milwaukee got more help after acquiring Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Bucks will also have a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton at their disposal, as well as the new additions of Malik Beasley and Cameron Payne.

With the core of Giannis, Khris, Bobby, and Brook Lopez still intact and with some key additions, hopes are high for the Bucks for the brand-new season.

“‘I’m just excited for the journey in general. New challenge for us. Try to get back to where we once were. One day at a time, but it’s gonna be fun this year,” said Portis.

Bobby Portis relishing the opportunity to play with Damian Lillard: “It’s fun, man”

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.