Michael Porter Jr. is a champion with the Denver Nuggets and a key starter on their talented team. He can score from anywhere on the court, whether it’s near the basket, mid-range, or from beyond the arc.
But his back problems have held him back. These issues started during his first season at Missouri and caused him to drop in the NBA Draft. He even missed his entire rookie year due to another back surgery.
Denver Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. underwent surgery of the lumbar spine. No timetable for his return to basketball participation.
โ Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Porter Jr.’s Injury and Recovery:
Dr. Charla Fischer from NYU Langone Health explained that Porter’s injury wasn’t unusual and that surgery helped him get back on track after rehab. “That process of those small tears happens to everyone over time,” Fischer said in an interview with SB Nation’s Matt Ellentuck in 2018.
However, Trae Young thinks these back issues have stopped Porter from reaching his full potential . On Paul George’s podcast, Young mentioned how Porter could have been like George if not for his injuries.
Trae Young says Michael Porter Jr. would have been a similar player to Paul George if he hadnโt hurt his back
( @PodcastPShow )
โ NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Fans might feel sad about what could have been for Porter Jr., but he’s still having an amazing career despite everything.
Even though he may never reach Paul George’s level, he’s doing great things with the Nuggets. His stats are solid: averaging 15.7 points, grabbing 6.2 rebounds, and dishing out 1.2 assists per game .
Given all he’s gone through, Porter Jr.’s achievements are impressive and he might end up winning multiple championships by the time he retires.
What do you think about Porter’s journey?
