Bobby Portis Jr. allowed his emotions to take over on Sunday night, which had consequences for the already short-handed Milwaukee Bucks.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard sidelined due to injuries, coach Doc Rivers emphasized Portis’ role in the game to overcome their 2-1 series deficit.
However, early in Game 4, less than seven minutes in, Portis was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in a single play, leading to his removal from the game.
Coach Doc Rivers commented on the incident after the Bucks’ 126-113 loss, highlighting the need for Portis to learn from the experience, emphasizing that such lessons are valuable for everyone, regardless of age.
The game saw a total of six technical fouls, all occurring in the first half. The situation escalated when Portis and Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard got tangled up while going for a rebound, resulting in a brief altercation and a stoppage in play for review.
Both Portis and Nembhard received technical fouls for their initial actions, and Portis received a second technical for his subsequent actions toward Nembhard, resulting in his ejection from the game. This complicated matters for the Bucks for the remainder of the game.
Rivers expressed his wish to give Brook Lopez some rest, acknowledging that fatigue might have contributed to his missed free throws.
The situation might worsen for the Bucks in the upcoming game on Tuesday. There’s uncertainty about whether Antetokounmpo, who hasn’t played since April 9 due to a left calf strain, or Lillard, who injured his right Achilles tendon on Friday, will be able to play in Game 5.
Additionally, Middleton, who sprained his right ankle in Game 2, appeared to have sprained his left ankle in Game 4. There are also concerns about Connaughton’s ribs, as he may require tests before his availability for the next game can be determined.
When asked about the postgame medical report, Rivers admitted he avoided discussing it with the medical staff, hoping for some positive news even for a brief moment. He expressed his reluctance to receive more bad news, indicating his desire for a glimmer of positivity amidst the team’s challenges.
