Sun May 11 22:20:00 UTC 2025: **Nuggets’ Porter Jr. Overcomes Shoulder Injury, Leads Team to Victory Over Thunder**
DENVER, CO – Playing through a severely sprained left shoulder and a broken foot brace, Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. delivered a crucial performance in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Porter scored 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting (5-of-6 from three-point range) and grabbed eight rebounds, helping the Nuggets secure a 113-104 overtime victory.
Porter’s performance was particularly impressive given his injury sustained in the first round of the playoffs. He admitted to difficulties shooting and rebounding due to the injury, requiring pain-numbing Lidocaine injections before the game. Despite the limitations, he stepped up in a big way, filling the void left by Nikola Jokic’s off night.
“It’s been tough, playoffs and I’m wanting to play at a high level,” Porter said post-game. He expressed relief at finally feeling more like himself after struggling in the previous two games in Oklahoma City.
Nuggets interim coach David Adelman praised Porter’s contributions, highlighting his crucial defensive rebounds in a game where the Thunder dominated the paint. Aaron Gordon’s late three-pointer forced overtime, where the Nuggets outscored the Thunder 9-2 to secure the win and take a 2-1 series lead.
Teammate Jamal Murray expressed his admiration for Porter’s resilience, stating, “People don’t understand what he’s played through and how much he’s played through his whole career. It’s just a testament to his resilience and his love for the game and his will to win.”
The Nuggets will look to extend their lead to 3-1 in Game 4 on Sunday.
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