MINNEAPOLIS – Heading into the fourth quarter of Game 2 of Nuggets-Timberwolves, Michael Porter Jr. was sitting on only one field goal attempt. Foul trouble had tilted his game off its axis that night, and Porter just hadn’t been involved in the Nuggets’ offense.
So Porter told himself heading into the final 12 minutes of play that he needed to show up for his team and find his groove. He had to get into an offensive rhythm with the Nuggets’ trailing by two and both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray off the floor to begin the quarter. Michael Malone calling the Nuggets’ first play of the quarter for Porter certainly helped.
Porter shot the ball with the confidence of someone who had scored 20 points up until that point and not just two. It was one of those shots from Porter that you just had to laugh at. It was a ridiculous pull. Taurean Prince’s blanket coverage on Porter didn’t matter. He was shooting that thing no matter what.
After that 3, Porter scored four more points to complete a personal 8-0 run to open the fourth. Both Malone and Jokic credited Porter’s early fourth-quarter heater for the Nuggets’ Game 2 win.
“Naw, I just shot it,” Porter said postgame that night about if not being in a rhythm before shooting that shot crept into his mind at all.
“I just launched it.”
It was a not-so-subtle reminder of how damn good of a shooter Porter is and how he really needs no time to heat up. This is the guy who was one of the best 3-point marksmen in the NBA this season. Across 62 regular-season games, Porter converted on 41.4% of his 3-point attempts. Out of the 43 players who attempted at least 300 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers — like the one Porter shot to begin the fourth quarter of Game 2 — Porter ranked second in percentage (43.8%) behind only Al Horford.
Porter is as good of a shooter as ever, and people within the Nuggets’ organization rave about his work ethic and commitment on the practice court. “He just loves the game,” one source told DNVR recently. At the end of Nuggets shootaround Sunday afternoon ahead of Game 4, Porter was the last Nuggets rotation player to leave the gym. It’s a common occurrence. He’s always looking to get up extra jumpers.
In Friday’s Game 3, Porter flashed his off-the-dribble game too. Six of his 10 baskets came in the restricted area. Porter went right at Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Timberwolves’ front line all night.
But what’s stuck out this entire season, and what really deserves mention in these playoffs, is how Porter has expanded his game beyond just a jumpshot. He’s become the complete, all-around player that the Nuggets need in order to win a championship this season.
Porter has the second-most rebounds on the Nuggets this series behind only Jokic. He’s been a committed defender too. Remember in past playoffs when Porter would be the target that opposing offenses went at? That hasn’t been the case that often over the first three games of this series. He’s emerged as a team player, kind of a glue guy, and someone who can play in any type of lineup and be relied upon on both ends of the floor.
“He understands what it means this year, what the moment means,” Aaron Gordon told DNVR earlier this season. “And he’s stepped up to the challenge defensively.”
Porter blends in on this team now. He’s just another link in the chain. He’d love to score 30 every game, but Porter’s point total doesn’t determine if his night was a success.
“The whole playoffs, stats don’t matter, shooting percentages don’t matter,” Porter said. “It’s just a next-play mentality and doing what you can for your team.”
I don’t know exactly when the shift happened with Porter, but it occurred this season. It feels like Porter has a different mindset now than he had in past years. He just wants to win. He doesn’t care who’s getting the credit either. It’s a transformation from the guy who averaged 36.2 points per game as a senior at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, was the No. 1 recruit in the country, then came into the league and joined the Nuggets as somewhat of an odd fit. This season, Porter has grown into a necessity on this team.
You’ve got to give him all the credit. Porter made himself into this player, and he’s cherishing the situation he’s now in.
“I’m here in the playoffs. This is a dream come true,” Porter said. “I’m starting for the No. 1 team in the West and playing a lot of minutes.”
“This is all you can ask for.”