Oft-Injured Forward Out Again For Denver Nuggets

He's missed more games than he's played since being drafted in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft, mostly due to a very troubled history with his back. The Denver Nuggets were relieved, then, when Michael Porter Jr. played in 16 of the first 17 games this season, and his back seemed fine. But alas, Porter is now out again, this time with a heel injury.

Doesn’t sound like Michael Porter Jr. will play tomorrow. Michael Malone called MPJ questionable, but he didn’t practice today. The heel contusion he’s dealing with didn’t happen in a particular game but had been building up over time. It’s “real painful” right now, Malone said.

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) November 27, 2022

Porter has missed the Nuggets' last two games, and will likely be out again on Monday with a heel contusion that is "real painful" right now according to head coach Michael Malone. He last played on Tuesday.

“[It's] something that’s kind of been building,” said Malone. “… Right now it’s just real painful for Michael, so he’ll come back and he’ll play when he feels like he’s able to go out there and do his job effectively."

Fortunately for the Nuggets, Bruce Brown has stepped into Porter's starting spot and done a wonderful job, including notching his first career triple-double on Wednesday, with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists (and 4 steals to boot).

The 24-year-old Porter Jr. had his 3rd career back surgery after just nine games last season. His second procedure came in the summer of 2018 and wiped out his entire rookie season, after also missing all but 53 minutes of his freshman season at Missouri. 

Hopefully, the back issues are behind him, and this heel thing won't keep him out too much longer. 

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports