Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is playing through a painful Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, an injury that typically requires four to six weeks of rest and rehab.
Yet instead of sitting out, Porter is suiting up every night and delivering key performances for a Nuggets team pushing to return to the Western Conference Finals.
Porter first suffered the injury in Game 2 of the Nuggets’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The 6-foot-10 sharpshooter hurt himself diving for a loose ball, and scans later revealed the damage to his shoulder.
The injury restricts his ability to raise his left arm above his head and causes significant pain, even during simple movements. Despite that, Porter hasn’t missed a single playoff game.
That impact was on full display in Game 3 of the second round, where Porter scored a postseason-high 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including five three-pointers in a 113–104 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The performance helped Denver take a 2–1 lead in the series over the 68-win Thunder, the top seed in the playoffs.
Still, the shoulder has taken a toll on Porter’s production. After averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 50.4% shooting from the field and 40.6% from deep in the regular season, his playoff numbers have dipped to 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
While his field goal percentage has dropped to 42.7%, he’s still knocking down 43.1% of his threes, a testament to his pure shooting mechanics even under physical duress.
This isn’t the first time Porter has played through pain. Injuries nearly derailed his career before it began. Once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, Porter slid to the 14th selection in the 2018 NBA Draft due to serious back concerns.
He underwent back surgery in college and again shortly after joining the Nuggets, forcing him to miss his entire rookie season. A third back procedure in 2021 sidelined him for most of that year as well.
However, Porter has bounced back with resilience. He played 81 games last season and 77 this year, regaining the form that once made him one of the most highly touted prospects in the nation. This shoulder sprain is his first significant injury since 2021, and once again, he’s choosing to fight through it.
Head coach David Adelman, who took over after the late-season firing of Michael Malone, has leaned heavily on Porter. With Nikola Jokic shouldering the primary load and Jamal Murray delivering clutch scoring, Porter’s ability to stretch the floor and hit timely shots has been essential.
The Nuggets are now just two wins away from another trip to the Western Conference Finals. If they can finish off the Thunder quickly, Porter may get a brief chance to rest before facing either the Timberwolves or Warriors.
Until then, the $179 million forward will continue to gut it out, providing Denver with the toughness and firepower they desperately need.
