Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been diagnosed with a nerve issue in his back, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post, who says Porter’s season could be in jeopardy.
As Singer writes, the Nuggets haven’t offered up many details on Porter’s status since shutting him down two weeks ago. He has been receiving daily treatment on his back in an effort to strengthen the area where he sustained the injury, Singer explains.
The Nuggets’ plan is to give Porter another week to show improvement before considering alternative treatment options, including a possible surgical procedure, sources tell The Denver Post. Head coach Michael Malone said on Sunday that Porter was in Florida, away from the team. A source tells Singer that the 23-year-old’s absence is related to him seeking more opinions on how to treat the injury.
Porter’s ailment is particularly concerning since he has a history of back issues, having previously undergone two surgeries — one during his first and only college season, and the other prior to his rookie season in 2018.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2020/21, averaging 19.0 PPG and 7.3 RPG on .542/.445/.791 shooting in 61 games (31.3 MPG). The performance earned him a five-year, maximum-salary rookie scale extension, which goes into effect in 2022/23.
However, Porter battled back pain in his first nine games this season before the injury forced him to the sidelines. He has posted just 9.9 PPG and 6.6 RPG on .359/.308/.556 shooting in 29.4 minutes per contest this season.
We’ll have to wait to see what course of action Porter and the Nuggets take to treat his back injury, but losing him for the season would be a tough blow to a Denver team that’s already missing another one of its maximum-salary players — Jamal Murray is recovering from an ACL tear he sustained in the spring. Without Porter, Murray, and Nikola Jokic – who is dealing with a wrist injury – the club lost its fourth game in a row on Sunday to slip to 9-8 on the season.
This rookie extension he signed could turn into one of the worst contracts in professional sports very quickly.
His numbers through 9 games were atrocious. Feel like Denver didn’t have much choice beyond throwing some obscene number at him though, given the other contracts on the roster already
His back had been bothering him for the entire season. Not surprising in that context.
I still feel like Chandler Parsons holds the title.
Ouch man hope he gets better. Could be a perennial all star if healthy. Sucks for the Nuggets and their title hopes.
They should unleash the 2k GOAT Bol Bol.
You maxed a dude out for 19/7 !!??
Lol that’s Rodney Rodgers numbers. How much did he make?
.542/.445 are not Rodney Rogers numbers though.
His best season was also only 15/5.5.
That Porter extension is going to single handedly prevent Jokic from getting a ring. He’s not the weak personality type like LeBron who’s just going to abandon ship, but damn if he did I couldn’t blame him. Everyone knew from college that Porter had serious injury concerns. Specifically with this back. So to go all in on him was so stupid I can’t even imagine why someone could f-ck up so badly
At least wait as long as possible to lock him up, ie the offseason. Sure, there’s a little bit of risk there but I’d much prefer that risk than risking an albatross contract.
He doesn’t have the backbone to toughen up.
Yep
Dang. Wonder if they should’ve gone for Harden now.
Early max extensions for guys like MPJ (borderline max player at best) are problematic to start with. If this extension doesn’t address his back condition, then the FO people responsible should offer to resign. There was no reason to do this extension unless the team was getting a discount (from max) or some consideration (for things, like, IDK, a back condition, that’s already caused him to miss a season).
Interesting issue. From what I had read about his injury, it seemed like he was either going to be mostly fine until his 30s and beyond or have a reinjury occur which could put his future in jeopardy. This doesn’t seem to fit either case, or perhaps it does portend the latter. Let’s hope not.
For all the talk of his injury history—that’s a lazy narrative IMO—he actually hasn’t dealt with any significant back issues since the big surgeries. He missed his first season for rehabilitation purposes and some time due to an ankle issue in 2020, but other than that he’s been healthy for the most part. Of course, any time you’re dealing with a nerve issue it’s a significant red flag.
I also have to wonder, like everyone else, why the Nuggets didn’t wait to sign him to a max given his unique injury history. I would’ve thought it far more prudent to wait until the offseason for that reason even if he had been mostly healthy the last few years. Just bad business.
Really sucks as MPJ is one of the most exciting players in the league, all & any fan of hoops just loves to see how silky & skilled this dude is, just recover as fast & best as possible, we miss you!
Played basketball all my life and had the same surgery, and have constant nerve pain and have never been the same. Granted he is 23 and also has probably better surgeons and docs than me, but it’s not looking good, and reinjury is too easy sadly.
Sorry to hear that. I think even a good prognosis had him likely experiencing back issues later on in life. For his sake, you just hope they aren’t beginning now.
Nuggets are far from golden. Dark days are ahead. Jokic is good as gone after next season.