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[Saba Sports News] When the Denver Nuggets captured their first NBA championship in 2023, it was a collective effort.
While Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the charge, it was the supporting cast—Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope—who elevated the team with their crucial two-way contributions. Michael Porter Jr. played a key role as well, and once again, the Nuggets will need him if they hope to make another deep postseason run.
At his best, Porter is a lethal shooter and solid rebounder. But on the flip side, his defense is often a liability, and his playoff performances have been consistently underwhelming.
The organization has long supported Porter. Former head coach Michael Malone often praised the 6-foot-10 wing, and ownership stood by him as a vital piece of the team’s core. But things have shifted. Malone and general manager Calvin Booth were dismissed before the end of the regular season. Meanwhile, team governor Josh Kroenke recently refuted earlier reports that he blocked a potential trade involving Porter, citing a lack of “organizational cohesion” this season.
That denial, paired with ongoing inconsistency from Porter, has cast doubt on his long-term future in Denver.
Porter’s playoff struggles have carried into the Nuggets’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite a 112–110 overtime win in Game 1, Porter’s impact was minimal—he finished with just three points and four rebounds in 26 minutes and was benched for the final 8:14 of regulation and all of overtime by interim head coach David Adelman.
This isn’t a new concern. Porter averaged just 10.7 points in last year’s second-round loss to the Timberwolves and dipped even lower during the 2023 NBA Finals, averaging 9.6 points per game. That track record is troubling for a player counted on as Denver’s third scoring option.
Adelman made it clear after Game 1 that every minute is earned.
“You can say I chose not to play Michael or ask, ‘Should I put Michael in a really unfair situation?’” Adelman said postgame. “I think the five guys that finished did their job, and we won the game defensively. I’m coaching to win. These are grown men.”
“If Mike comes out, plays hard, defends, and knocks down shots—he’ll be out there. Same as everyone else in that locker room.”
Even though the Nuggets escaped with a win, they won’t survive this series without meaningful contributions from players like Porter.
The Clippers are a top-tier defensive team, holding Denver to just 98 points in regulation, and finished eighth in defensive rating during the regular season. With a series expected to be physical and draining, secondary players must step up—just like they did during the title run.
Porter is still capable of rising to the moment. He averaged 16.6 points in March while shooting 34.7% from three, and he closed the regular season strong—scoring at least 15 points in four of his final five games. But he needs to rediscover that rhythm quickly. Game 2 on Monday in Denver will be a critical test, especially after Jokic’s blunt postgame challenge:
“If you’re not going to be engaged right now, then you’re not supposed to be playing this sport,” Jokic said.
Winning often hides internal issues. That’s part of why Malone remained in place after 2023. But as soon as those wins stop coming, accountability returns—and Porter is under the microscope now more than ever.
Young players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson are ascending. Braun has emerged as one of the league’s most improved players, while Watson’s size and defensive potential have the organization excited about his future. If Porter continues to struggle and lose confidence, his minutes—and his place in Denver’s long-term plans—could quickly vanish.
Given his size and shooting touch, Porter should have an edge in this series against smaller defenders. But if he doesn’t assert himself while the games are still in Denver, the Nuggets risk an early playoff exit—and Porter risks being the centerpiece of some very difficult offseason conversations.
With a pivotal summer approaching for the franchise, Porter’s performance in this series may go a long way in determining whether he remains part of the core alongside Jokic and Murray.