Apr 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) celebrates a made basket during game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Bobby Portis Isn't Mad About Bucks Playoff Exit For One Reason

Originally posted on Milwaukee Bucks on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated May 11, 2025 10:00 AM ET

During a recent interview, Milwaukee Bucks fan favorite Bobby Portis explains why he isn't sweating the team's third consecutive first round playoff exit this spring, a 4-1 defeat to the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana now leads the Cleveland Cavaliers, 2-1, in its ongoing semifinal playoff series.

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During a new conversation on FanDuel TV's "Run It Back" with hosts Michelle Beadle and Lou Williams, Portis unpacked how the Bucks' exit hurts less now.

"Giannis bleeds green."

Bobby Portis believes Giannis wants a one-team career like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Steph Curry

But, Bobby notes that the Bucks' window to win more championships will be a huge factor this offseason...@BPortistime | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/RgIoTX9AC2
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 9, 2025

"Being up, bro, and then you lose, especially the way that we lost, and then what kind of made me feel better, for real, for real, is that they did the same thing to the Cavs," Portis said.

The perpetual Sixth Man of the Year contender is one of the last remaining rotation pieces from Milwaukee's last title team in 2020-21.

Portis, nine-time All-Star power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and two-time All-Defensive center Brook Lopez all continue to play big roles on the team — for better and, in the case of Lopez, sometimes worse — while reserve shooting guard Pat Connaughton has essentially been supplanted by A.J. Green.

But that could all change this summer.

Portis and Connaughton both have player options for their 2025-26 season contracts, while the 37-year-old Lopez will be an unrestricted free agent.

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While Lopez is still a better rim protector than Portis, he is now effectively as slow as molasses, unable of doing much damage off switches or anywhere close to the perimeter. During the Bucks' Game 5 closeout to defeat to Indiana, Lopez was benched in favor of Portis, who reinvigorated the club's front line with some much-needed quickness.

The Pacers now appear to have the edge in their ongoing series against the East's top seed, but they did lose badly on Friday night, 126-104.

Donovan Mitchell has been on a tear against the Indiana Pacers this series

Game 1: 33 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST
Game 2: 48 PTS | 5 REB | 9 AST
Game 3: 43 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST

The Cavaliers take Game 3 and trail Indiana 2-1 in the series. pic.twitter.com/JW4kmEw5CL
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 10, 2025

Six-time All-Star Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has been doing his darnedest to prop up the team in light of ominous injuries to fellow All-Stars Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, plus sixth man De'Andre Hunter.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Chase Big NBA Markets With Questionable Bucks Future

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For more news and notes about the Milwaukee Bucks, head on over to Milwaukee Bucks on SI.

This article first appeared on Milwaukee Bucks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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