Rockets’ Porter Jr., 20, 4th youngest to score 50

HOUSTON — Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 50 points to go along with 11 assists Thursday night, becoming the youngest player ever to log a 50-point double-double with assists.

The performance helped the Houston Rockets snap a five-game losing streak, as they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 143-136.

Porter, 20, beat his previous career best of 30 points in the second half alone, scoring 32 with 17 in the fourth quarter. He also joined LeBron James, Brandon Jennings and Devin Booker as the only players to score 50 points in a game before turning 21.

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%.

“After I saw the third 3 go down, I knew it was going to be a special night,” Porter said. “It was all up to me. I just stayed aggressive, and it was a good night.”

Porter said it was his first 50-point game since he was in fourth grade. He went 9-of-15 from 3-point range.

“For him to be successful, he’s going to have to be someone who can make those shots,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said. “Just seeing the hard work that he puts in was great.”

The breakout game comes just one day after Porter was fined $50,000 by the league for violating its COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Porter violated the NBA’s rules against attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people and entering bars and similar establishments when he went to a Miami club on April 19, the league said.

Porter also missed three games because of the protocols after the strip club visit with teammate Sterling Brown.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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