Bobby Portis expressed that the Milwaukee Bucks' return to the NBA Cup semi-finals feels more meaningful due to their challenging start this season. The Bucks secured their spot in Las Vegas for the second year in a row by defeating the Orlando Magic 114-109 at Fiserv Forum. Portis contributed 22 points, shooting nine-of-11 from the bench, as Milwaukee continued their impressive comeback after an initial 2-8 record.
Damian Lillard praised the team's resilience, highlighting their ability to stay united and fight through adversity. "We just stayed connected. We kept fighting - and that's a hard thing to do when you're struggling and expected to be winning, and people are talking about your team," he said. "It takes a connected group to be able to bounce back and come out of that, and get where we've got."

The Bucks have now won nine of their last 11 games, showcasing a remarkable turnaround. Their unbeaten performance in the NBA Cup group stage has fueled optimism within the team. Portis noted the growing confidence among his teammates, saying, "I like the makeup of our team right now. I like the swag and confidence everybody's playing with."
Reflecting on last year's high expectations, Portis emphasized how special this season feels given their progress from a difficult start. He added, "It's more special in that regard because of where we started to where we are now." The camaraderie within the team continues to strengthen with each game.
The team's journey from early struggles to recent successes highlights their determination and unity. As they prepare for another semi-final appearance in Las Vegas, the Bucks aim to build on their current momentum and continue their winning ways.