INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bobby Portis Jr. let his emotions get the best of him Sunday night and it proved costly for the already short-handed Milwaukee Bucks.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard both out with injuries, coach Doc Rivers had spent two days talking about the key role Portis needed to play if the Bucks intended to overcome a 2-1 series deficit.
Then, less than seven minutes into Game 4, Portis grabbed a towel and was escorted to the locker room after drawing two technical fouls and an ejection on the same play.
“No matter how old you are, he has to learn. All of us can,” coach Doc Rivers said after the Bucks' 126-113 loss. “I thought it was probably a lesson for Bobby and all of us, you know all the young guys.”
Six technical fouls were called Sunday, all in the first half.
But the pivotal sequence began with Portis and Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard getting locked up while battling for a rebound, which resulted in a brief shoving match and stoppage in play for a replay review.
Portis and Nembhard were called for technical fouls for the initial shoves, and then the refs assessed a second technical to Portis for slapping Nembhard in the head. Both were deemed to be hostile acts, and the ejection complicated what Milwaukee did the rest of the night.
“I wish I could have got him (Brook Lopez) some rest,” Rivers said. “He missed four free throws, that's fatigue.”
And things could get even worse Tuesday night.
There's no assurance Antetokounmpo, the two-time league MVP who has not played since straining his left calf April 9, or Lillard, who injured his right Achilles tendon in Friday night's overtime loss will return for Game 5. Khris Middleton, who sprained his right ankle in Game 2, apparently sprained his left ankle in Game 4.
And Pat Connaughton may need tests on his injured ribs before Rivers know whether the backup guard will be available for the elimination game.
How bad has it gotten?
“I don't know, I don't even want to know,” Rivers said when asked if he received a postgame medical report. “I didn't even talk to our medical guys because I wanted some good news for about five minutes. Every time I talk to them, it's not good news. So I'm just hoping if I don't talk to them, they'll be OK.”
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Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, center front, reacts during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis (9) and Indiana Pacers' Andrew Nembhard, left, get into an altercation during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis (9) leaves the court after being ejected during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis (9) shoves Indiana Pacers' Andrew Nembhard, left, during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the-minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan in AP Newsroom.
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TOP STORIES
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ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS — Palestinians across the Middle East are marking the anniversary of their mass expulsion from what is now Israel with protests and other events across the region at a time of mounting concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe, refers to the 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the violence surrounding its creation in 1948. By Wafaa Shurafa, Joseph Krauss and Samy Magdy. UPCOMING: 720 words, photos, videos, audio. With MIDEAST-TENSIONS-THE-LATEST.
BIDEN-ISRAEL — The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it would send more than $1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides said. It’s the first arms shipment to Israel to be revealed since the administration put another arms transfer, consisting of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each, on hold this month citing concern for civilian casualties in Gaza. By Seung Min Kim, Ellen Knickmeyer and Zeke Miller. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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ELECTION 2024 — Former Gov. Larry Hogan claimed the Republican nomination in what will be a marquee race in Maryland against Angela Alsobrooks, a top local official who could become the fourth Black woman in U.S. history to serve in the Senate. Meanwhile, another popular Republican, Gov. Jim Justice, won the Senate nomination in deep-red West Virginia, becoming the overwhelming favorite in the race that represents the GOP’s best pickup opportunity in the nation. By Brian Witte, Leah Willingham and Steve Peoples. SENT: 1,160 words, photos, audio. ELECTION-2024-TAKEAWAYS — SENT.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to rally the spirits of glum Ukrainians facing a fierce new Russian offensive, assuring them during a visit to Kyiv that they are not alone and that billions of dollars in American military aid on its way after months of political delays will make a “real difference” on the battlefield. By Matthew Lee. SENT: 1,190 words, photos, videos, audio. With RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-DRONE-UNIT — AP gets rare look as Ukraine tries to slow Russia with drones on new front — SENT.
INDIA-ELECTION-SHRINKING MUSLIM REPRESENTATION — Preventing Muslim migrants from gaining citizenship. Revoking the semi-autonomy of the country’s only Muslim-majority region. Building a Hindu temple where a violent mob razed a mosque. These were political triumphs for Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade, burnishing his reputation as a leader who prioritizes the interests India’s Hindu majority. For India’s 200 million Muslims, they highlight their waning political power in the world’s largest democracy. By Sheikh Saaliq and Krutika Pathi. SENT: 1,080 words, photos, video.
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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES
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BRAZIL-FAVELA-DANCE-HERITAGE — The passinho is a Brazilian dance style created in the 2000s by kids in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. And it has been declared an “intangible cultural heritage” of the state of Rio, bringing recognition to a cultural expression born in the working-class neighborhoods. By Julia Dias Carneiro and Diarlei Rodrigues. SENT: 800 words, photos.
EDUCATION-BROWN-V-BOARD — Seventy years ago this week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled separating children in schools by race was unconstitutional. On paper, that decision — the fabled Brown v. Board of Education, taught in most every American classroom — still stands. In reality, school integration is all but gone, the victim of a gradual series of court cases that slowly eroded it, leaving little behind. By Annie Ma. SENT: 1,590 words, photos.
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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
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INTERNATIONAL COURT-UN-GAZA-UKRAINE-LIBYA — The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor faced demands for speedy action against Israeli leaders and a blistering Russian attack over the ICC’s arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin stemming from Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. SENT: 720 words, photo.
ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-ONLINE-PROTEST-EXPLAINER — Some social media users are calling out celebrities for what they say is inaction in the face of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza — and they’ve taken to a “blockout” to pressure the stars to take a stand. SENT: 650 words, photos.
ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-INDEPENDENCE-DAY — Israel’s Independence Day is normally a raucous affair, celebrated with day parties and barbecues in parks, but this year, celebrations were muted. SENT: 770 words, photos, video.
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ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-CAMPUS-PROTESTS — Anti-war protesters have taken down their tents in Harvard Yard after the university agreed to meet to discuss their demands. Students at many college campuses have made similar demands to cut ties with Israel and businesses that support it. SENT: 840 words, photos, video.
ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-EUROPE-PROTESTS — The University of Amsterdam canceled classes and shut buildings for two days after the latest pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the war in Gaza turned destructive. SENT: 490 words, photos.
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MORE NEWS
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WESTMINSTER-DOG-SHOW — A miniature poodle named Sage wins the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. SENT: 830 words, photos.
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HONG-KONG-YOUTUBE-PROTEST-SONG — YouTube blocks the Hong Kong protest anthem after a court injunction bans the song in the city. SENT: 480 words, photo.
AUSTRALIA-BRADBURY-BRAVERY-AWARD — The ‘accidental hero’ gold medalist Steven Bradbury receives an Australian bravery award for rescues. SENT: 300 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON
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GIULIANI-BANKRUPTCY-HEARING — The judge overseeing Rudy Giuliani’s bankruptcy case said he was “disturbed” so little progress has been made in sorting out his finances, and refused to lift a legal barrier that has kept the former New York City mayor from appealing a $148 million defamation judgment. SENT: 380 words, photo.
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NATIONAL
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FARMWORKER-BUS-ACCIDENT-FLORIDA — Mexican citizens were among those going to work at a Florida watermelon farm when the bus they were traveling in was sideswiped and crashed, killing eight people, officials said. SENT: 830 words, photos, video, audio.
ABORTION-ARIZONA-BOLICKS — Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick sided with the majority in restoring an 1864 ban on nearly all abortions. Republican state Sen. Shawnna Bolick joined Democrats to repeal the ban a few weeks later, a marked split between the husband and wife. SENT: 800 words, photos. With ABORTION — Survey finds 8,000 women a month got abortion pills despite their states’ bans or restrictions; and ABORTION-CLINIC-BLOCKADE — An anti-abortion activist who led a clinic blockade is sentenced to nearly five years in prison — SENT.
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INTERNATIONAL
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PHILIPPINES-CHINA-DISPUTED-SHOAL — A flotilla of about 100 mostly small fishing boats led by Filipino activists sailed to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s coast guard and suspected militia ships have used powerful water cannons to ward off what they regard as intruders. SENT: 600 words, photos.
SOUTH-AFRICA-ELECTION-MAIN-PLAYERS — After 30 years of dominating South African politics, the ruling African National Congress will face its toughest election this month as most opinion polls predict it will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time. SENT: 870 words, photos.
CANADA-WILDFIRES — Hundreds of residents in four neighborhoods in the southern end of Canada’s oil sand hub of Fort McMurray, Alberta, were ordered to evacuate with a wildfire threatening the community, authorities said. SENT: 610 words, photos.
SINGAPORE-POLITICS — Singapore’s deputy leader Lawrence Wong is set to be sworn in as the nation’s fourth prime minister in a carefully planned political succession designed to ensure continuity and stability in the Asian financial hub. SENT: 810 words, photos, video.
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BUSINESS
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MOROCCO-CAR-INDUSTRY — Morocco has grown its automotive industry from virtually non-existent to Africa’s largest in less than two decades. Moroccan officials are determined to maintain the country’s role as a car-making juggernaut by competing for electric vehicle projects. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
JUSTICE-DEPARTMENT-BOEING — Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft more than five years ago, the Justice Department told a federal judge. SENT: 610 words, photo.
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian stocks were mostly higher after a rally on Wall Street that took the Nasdaq composite index to a record high. SENT: 540 words, photos, audio.
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SPORTS
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FEVER-CLARK — The Caitlin Clark era in the WNBA has officially begun, although it got off to a slow start. Clark went scoreless for nearly the first 15 minutes, before getting more comfortable and finishing with 20 points in the Indiana Fever’s 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun. SENT: 820 words, photos, audio.
FIFA-MEETINGS — During three days of meetings in Bangkok, international soccer’s governance standards are set to distract from significant decisions in women’s soccer, including picking a 2027 World Cup host, and FIFA pushing its members to do more to tackle racism in stadiums. SENT: 630 words, photos.
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Supporters of Israel celebrate the country's Independence Day in Montreal, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Meryl Streep poses for photographers during the honorary Palme d'Or photo call at the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Photo by Andreea Alexandru/Invision/AP)
Pope Francis gets out of a car as he arrives to a meeting with elderly priests at the San Giuseppe al Trionfale Parish Church in Rome, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Supporters react as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrives to worship at the Kaal Bhairav temple before filing his nomination papers to contest as a candidate for the parliamentary elections in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Varanasi will go to polls on June 1 in the seventh and last phase of the six-week-long election. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)
A demonstrator with draped Georgian national and EU flags stands in font of police blocking the way to the Parliament building, during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Georgia's parliament on Tuesday began the third and final reading of a divisive bill that sparked weeks of mass protests, with critics seeing it as a threat to democratic freedoms and the country's aspirations to join the European Union. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken performs "Rockin' in the Free World" with members of The 1999 band at the Barman Dictat bar in Kyiv, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Blinken sought Tuesday to rally the spirits of glum Ukrainians facing a fierce new Russian offensive, assuring them that they are not alone and that billions of dollars in American military aid on its way to the country would make a “real difference” on the battlefield. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool photo via AP)
A Ukrainian serviceman of the ACHILLES battalion of the 92nd brigade operates a suicide drone over Russian positions in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Michael Cohen, right, leaves his apartment building in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Cohen, former President Donald Trump’s fixer-turned-foe is returning to the witness stand for a bruising round of questioning from the former president’s lawyers. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
