2025-26 Season
CRAIG PORTER JR.
2025-26 Season
CRAIG PORTER JR.
PBP Credit: Every play is analyzed from play-by-play data. Scorers get difficulty-adjusted credit, assisters get creation value based on the shot opportunity they created, and turnovers are classified by type. Shot difficulty is derived from 1M+ shots across 4 seasons. Full methodology
TEAM COMPARISON
of 18 teammates (10+ games, 10+ min)
Similar Players
Same position, closest production profile this season.
SKILL DNA
Percentile rank vs 245 Guards with 10+ games
THE SEASON SO FAR
Craig Porter Jr.’s early season was defined by a volatile tug-of-war between suffocating defensive disruption and chaotic offensive stagnation. When he embraced the role of a gritty, low-mistake game manager, his value skyrocketed regardless of his shooting volume. On 10/27 vs DET, he managed a meager 4 points on 1-for-4 shooting, yet generated a stellar +7.0 impact score entirely through relentless point-of-attack ball pressure. Conversely, forcing the issue routinely punished his team. During his 01/19 vs OKC appearance, a 9-point scoring surge was completely negated by the hidden costs of empty possessions and poor defensive rotations, dragging him to a dismal -6.3 impact. He is at his absolute best when marrying flawless shot selection with his natural defensive instincts. Look no further than 11/12 vs MIA, where he orchestrated a two-way masterclass with 19 points and 9 assists to post a staggering +16.3 impact score.
Craig Porter Jr.'s midseason stretch was defined by a maddening offensive passivity that gradually eroded his on-court value. Early on, he occasionally found ways to influence winning without shooting, such as his +4.2 impact score on 12/17 vs CHI, where suffocating defensive pressure and flawless execution on limited touches drove his positive rating. However, that momentum vanished entirely once opponents realized they could completely ignore him as a scoring threat. During an ugly 01/10 vs MIN performance, Porter dished out eight assists but suffered a brutal -9.7 impact mark because his total lack of scoring gravity allowed defenders to aggressively jump passing lanes. Even when he did manage to find the basket, hidden costs ultimately dragged him down. On 01/21 vs CHA, he tallied seven points—a massive scoring spike relative to his recent averages—but still posted a -4.7 impact due to costly defensive lapses and a lack of overall floor connection. You simply cannot survive as a rotational NBA guard if you refuse to look at the rim.
Craig Porter Jr. spent this stretch oscillating wildly between brilliant connective playmaking and debilitating offensive passivity. He operated as a pure floor general on 02/01 vs POR, generating a +2.7 impact despite scoring just 3 points because his 12 assists and pinpoint kick-outs completely dissected the defense. That pass-first mentality often backfired. Even though he racked up another 12 assists on 02/27 vs DET, his dismal 2-for-9 shooting and reluctance to attack the rim allowed defenders to aggressively cheat off him, dragging his impact score down to a -3.7. This lack of scoring gravity bottomed out entirely on 02/09 vs DEN. During that brief nine-minute stint, a completely invisible zero-point, zero-assist outing resulted in a disastrous -13.3 impact. He has the vision of a true point guard, but his frequent refusal to look at the basket routinely forces his teammates to play four-on-five.
IMPACT TIMELINE
Game-by-game performance vs average. Green = above average, red = below.
Inconsistent. Jr. has clear good-night/bad-night splits, with scoring swinging ~4 points between games. You're never quite sure which version shows up.
Middle-of-the-road efficiency — shoots 45%+ from the field in 48% of games. Not automatic, but not a problem either.
Defensive difference-maker. Jr. consistently forces tough shots and protects the rim — opponents shoot worse when he's guarding them.
Performance has dropped off. First-half impact: -1.9, second-half: -5.1. Worth watching whether it's fatigue, injury, or opponents adjusting.
Tends to go on runs. Longest hot streak: 3 games. Longest cold streak: 11 games.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Based on 67 games with tracking data. Shows who guarded this player on offense and who he guarded on defense, with their shooting stats in those matchups.
ON OFFENSE: WHO GUARDED HIM
His shooting stats against each primary defender this season
ON DEFENSE: WHO HE GUARDED
How opponents shot when he was the primary defender. Lower FG% = better defense.
SEASON STATS
GAME LOG
65 games played
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