© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
With Giannis Antetokounmpo out, Bobby Portis knew he had to step his game up
Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence on Monday night due to Achilles tendonitis left a huge gaping hole for the Milwaukee Bucks. Acknowledging that a single player won't be able to fill in for the two-time MVP, Bobby Portis elevated his game and helped lead the Bucks to an incredible 113-106 come-from-behind victory.
Guys needed to step up
Apart from registering 30 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists per game, Giannis' energy and hustle on both ends of the floor cannot be replicated. Knowing this, Portis urged the rest of his teammates to bring their A-game against a Clippers squad that featured three of the most potent scorers the NBA has ever seen—Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden.
"Guys needed to step up in their roles," Bobby said.
Proving he was up to the challenge, the crowd-favorite came off the bench and scored 28 points—14 coming in the fourth, nine straight at one point—and grabbed 16 rebounds in 30 minutes.
"I just feel like it was one of those times for me just to step up and be a little more aggressive than I probably was before," Portis shared.
The win meant a lot for the Portis and the Bucks
Milwaukee has been under scrutiny all season long due to the personnel and coaching changes the team made this season. Bobby said the team has heard and seen them all, and the win against the Clippers was a statement.
"It means a lot, man," Portis added.
"Guys in that locker room have been working. Put the time in. Especially when guys go out, it's like next-man-up mentality. Especially in the NBA, guys aren't going to play 82 games. So, at some point, your opportunity is going to come. The biggest thing about that is just staying ready and being ready for the moment. I think guys came in and made a great impact."
