NBA: Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr. aims to return vs Warriors | Inquirer Sports
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NBA: Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. aims to return vs Warriors

/ 07:01 PM April 18, 2022

Michael Porter Jr. Nuggets NBA

Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets congratulates Nikola Jokic #15 after defeating the Golden State Warriors at Ball Arena on March 7, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images/AFP

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is hopeful of returning to action sometime during the first-round series against the Golden State Warriors.

Porter has been sidelined the past five-plus months due to another back injury. He underwent surgery on Dec. 1, marking his third major procedure in the past 4 1/2 years.

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“Right now, I’m taking it game by game. I’m not ruling anything out,” Porter told ESPN after Denver’s 123-107 loss in Game 1 on Saturday. “This is a thing I don’t ever want to deal with again, so I’m just taking my time. … Every day I’m getting closer.”

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Porter, 23, initially was forecasted to return in March but he said a setback pushed back the timeline.

“I was ready to step back up. Just got a tiny bit sore, so I realize about a month ago that I was good, but I was pushing myself too hard to get back,” Porter said. “I can do anything. I have no restrictions. But when I got back to playing full speed and doing everything, that’s when I just got a little sore.

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“So, I just decided that if I feel perfect, I’m going to come back. If not, I’m going to take my time.”

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Porter was averaging 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in nine starts this season before being shut down.

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Porter has averaged 14.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 125 career games (71 starts) for Denver, shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from 3-point range.

Porter’s first back surgery occurred during his lone college season (2017-18) at Missouri. He had the surgery done after playing in one game and returned to play in two others.

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After being the No. 14 selection by Denver in the 2018 draft, Porter had his second back surgery and missed the entire 2018-19 season while recuperating.

In September, Porter signed a five-year, $172 million extension that begins next season.

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TAGS: Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Michael Porter Jr., NBA

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