Bucks Guard Kevin Porter Jr. Undergoes Knee Surgery

Porter will miss the rest of the NBA season after the procedure.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:54pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's movement broken down into overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the challenges of a knee injury.A cubist interpretation of a Bucks player's knee injury highlights the fragmented nature of professional sports and the challenges athletes face with unexpected setbacks.Vail Today

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will miss the remainder of the 2026 NBA season. The 25-year-old Porter last played on March 17 and had been averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game before the injury.

Why it matters

Porter was expected to be a key contributor for the Bucks this season, and his absence will be a significant loss for the team as they push for a playoff spot. Knee injuries can be tricky for professional athletes, and the recovery timeline will be closely watched.

The details

The surgery was performed on Tuesday in Vail, Colorado by Dr. Tom Hackett at The Steadman Clinic. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said the injury occurred just 8 minutes into the team's first game of the season, and Porter never fully recovered.

  • The surgery took place on April 7, 2026.
  • Porter last played on March 17, 2026.

The players

Kevin Porter Jr.

A 25-year-old guard for the Milwaukee Bucks who has been sidelined with a right knee injury.

Doc Rivers

The head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Tom Hackett

The doctor who performed the arthroscopic surgery on Kevin Porter Jr.'s right knee at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“'It started eight minutes into the first game (of the season). When you look at how he played overall, he had a hell of a year and was going to have even a better year but the injury thing caught him eight minutes into our first game and he never really recovered from that.'”

— Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach

“'man, I didn't come through for you.'”

— Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks Guard

“'No, you're fine. You just got injured. It's part of the game and it happens.'”

— Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach

What’s next

The Bucks will need to determine a timeline for Porter's recovery and rehabilitation, as well as how they will adjust their lineup and rotation without him for the remainder of the season.

The takeaway

Knee injuries can be challenging for professional athletes, and this setback for Kevin Porter Jr. is a significant blow to the Bucks' hopes this season. The team will need to rally around the injury and find ways to remain competitive without one of their key players.