Nuggets continue without striker Michael Porter Jr.
Porter played in Denver’s first nine games of the 2021-22 season but left the team’s game against Houston on November 6 with a nervous breakdown. He has not appeared in court since.
Porter has struggled in the games he’s appeared in, averaging 9.9 points out of .359 / .208 / .556 on shot.
What’s next for Porter? Here’s everything we know about his injury and when he might return.
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Michael Porter Jr.’s wound.
According to Mike Singer of The Denver Post, Porter was dealing with a nerve problem in his back.
The singer added that Porter exacerbated a back injury he’s been dealing with all season after a substitute attempt in Denver’s win over Houston.
Porter has a history of back injury. He was limited to only three games during his freshman season at Missouri because he was Back injury requires surgery. He then underwent his second back surgery after the 2018 NBA Draft, where he was sidelined for his entire rookie season.
Porter has rebounded strongly, scoring 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 55 games (eight starts) in 2019-20. He was one of the league’s breakout players for 2020-21, coming in third in the Most Improved Player poll with an average of 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Michael Porter Jr. How long will you be absent?
On November 8, 2021, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said that Porter “may return in a week. It could be more than that. I do not know. “
Two weeks later, Singer reported that Porter’s latest injury could “jeopardize his season” and require another surgery. He is reportedly leaving the team and is “seeking more opinions on how to treat his injury.”
Contract Situation of Michael Porter Jr.
Porter signed a 5-year maximum extension with rookie size into the season. He is guaranteed $172 million and can earn up to $207 million if he meets certain criteria.
Nuggets upcoming schedule 2021-22
| Day | Protest | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 23 | in Portland | 10 pm |
| Friday, November 26 | compared to Milwaukee | 9:00 PM |
| Monday, November 29 | in Miami | 7:30 PM ONLY |
| Wednesday, December 1 | in Orlando | 7:00 pm |
| Saturday, December 4 | in New York | 1:00 pm |
| Monday, December 6 | in Chicago | 20:00 |
| Wednesday, December 8 | in New Orleans | 20:00 |
| Autumn, December 9 | in San Antonio | 8.30 PM |
| Saturday, December 11 | in San Antonio | 8.30 PM |
