Michael Porter Jr.’s chance at redemption was wiped out in one agonizing moment, leaving both him and the Nuggets nursing their wounds. For the team, Game 2 felt like a pivotal showdown, tied in a series with the Clippers. For Porter, however, it was a painful setback—a sprained left shoulder that he shrugged off as “nothing too serious,” though he couldn’t deny the discomfort.
You could see the struggle when he needed help putting on his hoodie after the loss. Porter came alive with 15 points and 15 rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting. He was all over the floor—crashing the boards, leading Denver’s transition game, and even sinking a clutch 3-pointer to tie the game late. His shooting wasn’t his best but rebounding? All because of Kawhi Leonard.
After a tough Game 2 loss to the Clippers, Michael Porter Jr. opened up about his challenges, particularly facing Kawhi. When asked about his six offensive rebounds, Porter explained how his awareness of the situation helped fuel his performance:
“I just got about just knew that you know the way that they’re playing me the way that they’re putting Kawhi on me, and I’m not getting lots of open looks, and they’re blacking out. And I’m up the plays that we would run for me. They’re switching out, so I know that my, um, shots I’m gonna get this series is transition and offensive of rebounds is not going to be a lot of, you know, open threes for me I don’t think this series. I just try to be more cognizant of that this game.” he said.
Apr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) attempts a shot as Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) defends in the first quarter during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Porter’s insight into the series shows the level of preparation and adaptability required to face a defense as suffocating as Leonard’s. With fewer open looks, Porter has had to rely on other ways to contribute, like crashing the boards and pushing in transition. But even with his strong rebound effort, the 26-year-old forward couldn’t shake the regret over a critical mistake late in the game.
After he hit a clutch game-tying 3-pointer, Porter’s turnover just moments later became a costly turning point. With the game tied at 100 and 100 seconds left, the Nuggets capitalized on a rare miss from Kawhi Leonard. Porter grabbed the rebound but, in an attempt to quickly push the ball up to Aaron Gordon, threw a pass he immediately wished he could take back.
He tried to recover, diving to retrieve the loose ball, but ended up injuring his left shoulder in the process. He stayed down on the floor for a moment, feeling the weight of the mistake. As the Clippers took control of the ball, they quickly found Norman Powell, who drained a three-pointer to put L.A. up for good. The game was effectively sealed in that instant.
Feeling responsible for the loss, Porter circled the locker room afterward to apologize to his teammates for his mistake. Summing up his thoughts, he admitted:
“Yeah, I felt like that turnover was on me. I thought I had someone down the floor, but when I saw I didn’t, I ended up turning it over. It was a big mistake in such a close game, so I had to own it.”
Porter’s accountability speaks volumes about his maturity, but this moment shows just how small the margin for error is in the playoffs. Yet, his struggles aren’t limited to one misstep on the court. Along with his shoulder sprain, Porter’s health has been further complicated by issues with his foot brace.
Michael Porter Jr. Faces Multiple Setbacks as Health Issues Affect Playoff Performance
Michael Porter Jr. is facing more than just his usual challenges in the playoffs—his health is adding extra pressure. After his foot brace, which he’d worn for three years, broke recently, Porter’s been struggling to adjust to a new one. “I’ve been trying to get used to a new one. None of them seem to fit right, and it’s just affecting my movement,” he said. “I’m not used to them. So I haven’t been as confident in my movements since that one broke.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for this setback. Having relied on that brace to support his ankle and foot following three back surgeries, trying a new one during the postseason is far from ideal. “It’s the worst time to deal with it,” he admitted.
Nov 23, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) rebounds a ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
This foot issue clearly affected his play in Game 1, where he only scored three points on four attempts. After an early jumper, he went silent. Coach David Adelman opted to close the game with Russell Westbrook, showing that Porter still has work to do, especially defensively. The Clippers also made it tough on him offensively, locking him down beyond the arc.
Even with these obstacles, Porter remains determined. Adelman highlighted his improvement, noting, “He was better tonight.” It’s clear: Porter will have to dig deep to impact the game as the series progresses.
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