HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 50 points, and the NBA-worst Houston Rockets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 143-136 on Thursday night after Giannis Antetokounmpo left less than a minute into the game with an apparent ankle injury.
Porter Jr., who also had 11 assists, was the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Milwaukee, but was then sent to Detroit in a salary-dump by the Bucks to get rid of Tony Snell’s bloated contract.
Christian Wood, another former Buck, had 31 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets. Wood played for the Bucks two seasons ago, but was ultimately waived for journeyman Tim Frazier right before the 2018-19 playoffs. Wood then blossomed last season with the Pistons, before signing with the Rockets during this breakout campaign, averaging 21.1 points, 9.8 rebounds.
Houston snapped a five-game losing streak on the back of a dazzling performance from Porter, who scored 32 points in the second half and 17 in the fourth quarter. His previous career best was 30 points as a rookie with Cleveland last season.
Antetokounmpo played just 46 seconds. On a driving layup, he appeared to appeared to step on the foot of Kelly Olynyk, rolling what was already an injured ankle. He limped to the locker room and spent a few minutes there before returning to the bench, where he sat for the rest of the game.
Antetokounmpo entered the game listed as probable with a right ankle sprain.
Houston trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half but surged in the second half on hot shooting from 3-point range. Houston made 25 of 46 3-pointers, good for a season-high 54.3%.
Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton had 33 points and eight assists, and Jrue Holiday had 29 points and 10 assists. Bryn Forbes scored a career-high 30 points off the bench, including 18 in the first half.
Milwaukee led 73-65 at halftime after Houston closed out the half on a 20-4 run.
The Rockets opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run to take their first lead. They entered the fourth quarter ahead 104-98.
TIP-INS
Bucks: Along with Antetokounmpo, Donte DiVincenzo (sore left Achilles tendon) was also listed in the pregame report as probable. DiVincenzo played 21 minutes, scoring three points. … Milwaukee’s reserves outscored Houston’s 55-20.
Rockets: Avery Bradley (sore right leg) and Danuel House Jr. (sore right ankle) joined Houston’s long list of injuries, which is now up to eight players. D.J. Augustin (left ankle sprain) said Wednesday he hopes to return in the coming days.
UP NEXT
Bucks: Visit Chicago on Friday night.
Rockets: Host Golden State on Saturday night.
TOP PHOTO: Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gives a thumbs up while walking off the court after the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taormina/Pool Photo via AP)
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