Kevin Porter Jr. had the game of his life for the Houston Rockets in their 143-136 upset victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The 20-year-old guard lit up inside Toyota Center recording a career-high 50 points on 16-for-26 shooting from the field and a scintillating 9-for-15 outing from past the arc.
It wasn’t like Porter was just chucking shot after shot all game long, as he also dished a game-best 11 dimes, to go along with four rebounds and one block in 41 minutes.
Say what you want about this guy’s supposed questionable character, but he can definitely ball.
The former USC standout was poised for a big night after eclipsing his previous career-high of 32 points in the second half.
Here’s Porter completely fooling Khris Middleton with a nifty sidestep on the break. The Bucks All-Star is actually considered a pretty solid defender, but the fearless Rockets guard got him beat on this play.
Career-high 33PTS for @Kevinporterjr! pic.twitter.com/0pGnfmlVaw
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 30, 2021
Porter did not stop there and continued torturing the Bucks’ hapless D. He joined the 50-point club with this incredible stepback trey over Jrue Holiday (who is also a pretty good defender).
Kevin Porter Jr. has 50 points pic.twitter.com/5zAtfD29VT
— Kevin Wobter Jr. (@WorldWideWob) April 30, 2021
Kevin Porter Jr. was at first deemed as an untouchable commodity following that locker room outburst that got him banished from the Cleveland Cavaliers. After all, it wasn’t his first offense, since his history of bad behavior dates back all the way back to his time with the Trojans.
The Rockets, who were rebuilding anyway, took a chance at the embattled guard and gave up a second-round pick for his services. Houston made him earn his playing by sending him to the G-League, where he pretty much proved he’s too good to be there.
#Rockets head coach Stephen Silas on KPJ (@Kevinporterjr): “He can get down, but the thing about him is he snaps right back. That’s a good quality to have.”
Per Silas, the first thing Porter said in the locker room after Tuesday’s game was:
“I’ve gotta play better. And I will.”
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 30, 2021
Porter has had a bigger role in Rockets head coach Stephen Silas’ offense since the Victor Oladipo trade over the deadline. He stumbled a bit following that strip club episode with Sterling Brown but is certainly reaping the fruits of his hard work.
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