The Denver Nuggets have been flying high during the second half of the 2023-2024 NBA season. The defending NBA champions have won five straight and 11 of their last 12. From Nikola Jokic to Jamal Murray, head coach Michael Malone’s team is gearing up for the final stretch of the regular season. Small forward Michael Porter Jr. will look to continue his second-half resurgence as the Nuggets seek their second-consecutive NBA title in 2024.
Denver Nuggets: Career Beginnings For Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. had a drastically short collegiate career at the University of Missouri. In terms of minutes played, his time as a Tiger lasted only 53 minutes. Due to a back injury he sustained during his first game at Mizzou, the Missouri native was unsure of what his basketball future held. The number two prospect in 2018 struggled to stay healthy as his future in basketball was up in the air. Fortunately, the Denver Nuggets gave Porter Jr. a chance.
Elevating His Game A Mile High With The Denver Nuggets
In 2018, the Denver Nuggets selected Michael Porter Jr. with the 14th overall pick in the draft. Prior to the draft, experts projected Porter Jr. as the first overall pick. Unfortunately, his well-documented injury history was enough to deter NBA teams. However, the Nuggets recognized that he could help transform them into a perennial championship contender. The key for him excelling at the NBA level comes down to staying healthy and contributing when called upon. As his NBA career progresses, Porter Jr. has the ability to help the Nuggets be a force in the Western Conference for years to come. Helping the Nuggets capture a second-straight Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy this season would be a nice way to start.
A Michael Porter Jr. 2024 Playoff Push With The Denver Nuggets
Currently, Michael Porter Jr. and the Denver Nuggets sit atop the West with a 47-20 record. In their last game, the Nuggets took down Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 117-106 on March 15. Porter Jr. finished with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds. While this is a modest stat line when compared to Nikola Jokic, his contributions on both ends of the floor were impactful. With the win, Malone’s team was able to take sole possession of first place in the West. If Porter Jr. and the Nuggets are able to continue their winning ways, their lead over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder will grow. As long as he can avoid injury and stay on the court, Michael Porter Jr. will help the Denver Nuggets repeat as NBA champions in 2024.
About The Author
Christopher Svancara has been a passionate fan of basketball, baseball, and football since he was young. He also has a passion for expressing himself through his writing. His favorite aspect of writing about sports is uncovering the hidden stories about players and teams. As a Colorado native and an alumnus of the University of Colorado Boulder, Svancara developed a passion for a variety of Colorado sports teams. His favorite teams are the Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, and Denver Nuggets. He loves to attend sporting events to watch the drama unfold in person. Sharing the excitement of these moments with his readers is what motivates him to be a sports writer for Total Apex Sports.
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