Michael Porter Jr. revealed that he is playing through a shoulder injury that should have kept him out for four to six weeks. The incident occurred during the playoffs when he suffered a Grade 2 sprain of his left shoulder in the first round. Despite the pain, Porter stated:

“I’m not doing that.”

His performance has been impressive; he scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, helping the Nuggets take a surprising lead in the series.

Porter initially injured his shoulder during the first game of the playoffs while diving for a loose ball. This painful injury makes lifting his arm above his head a significant challenge. Despite the setback, he has not missed any games and continues to contribute significantly to his team’s performance.

Jamal Murray praised Porter’s commitment, acknowledging the toughness he displays and his love for the game. Porter, once a top prospect, faced multiple injuries throughout his career, including back surgeries that sidelined him for extended periods in the past.

Despite this latest injury, Porter believes in the importance of playing through the pain, especially given the current stakes for his team:

“It’s do-or-die for our team, so I don’t feel the pull to really try to rest it.”

Porter’s determination and scoring ability have kept the Nuggets in playoff contention, as they aim for a trip to the Western Conference finals.