NBA Notes: Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr., Magic, Cavs, Darius Garland

Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr. is trending toward an early December return, right on the timeline the Bucks projected when he went in for right knee meniscus surgery.

Coach Doc Rivers told reporters Porter “looked good” in Tuesday’s skeleton work, and The Athletic’s Eric Nehm added that Rivers has seen a noticeable lift in Porter’s energy since he got back on the floor.

Porter didn’t disagree.

“This is my first surgery ever,” he said. “Two weeks ago, Monday, I woke up and couldn’t walk. I was on crutches for the first time. So of course my energy was going to be low.

“But being able to walk again, sleep regular, get back to my daily routine… it’s uplifting.”

Porter said he’s progressing through stationary shooting, movement work, and cardio, calling Tuesday “the best day” he’s had so far.

He has appeared in just one game this season, finishing with 10 points in nine minutes. Milwaukee entered Wednesday night at 8-7.

Magic

Magic forward Paolo Banchero will miss his fourth straight game on Thursday as he continues to deal with a left groin strain, per Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.

It’s something to monitor closely, given Banchero’s rookie extension includes Rose Rule language and requires him to hit the 65-game threshold to be eligible for an All-NBA bump.

He’s been off to a strong start, so the margin for error is shrinking fast.

Cavaliers

Cavs point guard Darius Garland missed his fifth straight game on Wednesday after re-aggravating his surgically repaired left big toe last week.

The good news is coach Kenny Atkinson doesn’t expect the absence to linger much longer. “He is close,” Atkinson said. “Really close.”

Garland hasn’t played since November 12, and the Cavs’ offense hasn’t been quite the same.