MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks waived guard Kevin Porter Jr. on Monday after a 2025-26 season in which he led the team in assists per game and ranked second in scoring.
The move came ahead of Monday's NBA roster deadline. The Bucks open their season Wednesday at Washington.
Although injuries limited Porter to 38 games last season, the 6-foot-5 guard productive when available. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
The Bucks had a surplus of guards as they retool in their first season without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded to Miami in the offseason. Waiving Porter should open up more playing time for younger backcourt performers such as rookie Brayden Burries and 20-year-old Kasparas Jakučionis, who will complement returning guard Ryan Rollins and 2025 All-Star Tyler Herro.
Jakučionis and Herro came to Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade. The Bucks selected Burries out of Arizona with the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) goes up to shoot between Indiana Pacers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) and center Jay Huff (32) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives against Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Angel Reese had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Allisha Gray added 18 points and the Atlanta Dream stymied Golden State on both ends in the second half, beating the Valkyries 79-65 on Monday night to even the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at one game apiece.
Rhyne Howard set a Finals record with six steals, while Jordin Canada contributed 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Dream earned the franchise's first Finals victory after going winless in three previous trips — 0-10 overall. They now head home having salvaged a split in front of the boisterous “Ballhalla” crowd at Chase Center.
“This environment is tough to play in. Shoutout to the fans. Shoutout my team, though,” Reese said. “We came and fought. I mean, that Game 1 was tough for us. But we moved on.”
Reese became the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Jonquel Jones for Connecticut in 2019 and Breanna Stewart for Seattle in 2020.
“She was definitely way more aggressive, she had a great game,” Valkyries center Kiah Stokes said. “We let everyone kind of have their way.”
Game 3 is Wednesday in Atlanta, where the next two matchups were moved to the NBA Hawks’ State Farm Arena so more fans could attend. It holds more than 17,000, as opposed to the Dream’s regular home, Gateway Center Arena, which accommodates only 3,500.
Chase Center holds 18,064 and has sold out every game since the Valkyries began playing last year.
Gabby Williams finished with 14 points on 3-for-15 shooting after she was the only Golden State player to score in double figures with 26 points in Saturday’s 68-64 Game 1 win. The Valkyries shot 34.4% and went 7 for 24 from 3-point range.
“We shot terribly,” point guard Veronica Burton said. “We missed shots that we make all the time.”
Foul trouble almost did in the Dream this time — but Reese simply wouldn’t have it. She went scoreless in the second half of the opener but delivered the big baskets and key defensive stops two days later, finishing 10 for 16 from the floor while dishing out three assists and blocking two shots.
“We watched film and saw the things that we messed up on. When I said that they didn’t do anything to mess us up, it was literally just us,” Reese said. “And we can see that tonight. And we’re gonna carry that over in Atlanta. Atlanta, y’all better pull up and pop out, I’m looking forward to it.”
Atlanta scored 24 points off Golden State's 19 turnovers to hand the Valkyries their first loss in regulation since a 73-70 defeat at Chicago on Aug. 21. The Dream had just eight points off turnovers in Game 1 but returned to the defensive formula that advanced Atlanta this far.
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Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) passes the ball while defended by Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, left, during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Atlanta Dream guard-forward Rhyne Howard, left, steals the ball from Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) calls a play against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Valkyries and Warriors owner Joe Lacob, middle, watches with Warriors president and chief operating officer Brandon Schneider, middle left, and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams celebrates after Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Atlanta Dream, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen reacts after scoring against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) celebrates with guard-forward Kaila Charles (6) during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
