Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports said on Sunday that Michael Porter Jr. will be cleared for on-court contact within the next week, freeing a path for him to return to the lineup in March.
Porter had back surgery three months ago and has been pain-free in recent weeks. Once Porter is cleared for contact, it will be a matter of a final ramp up until his return in March.
The impact of a Porter return to the Nuggets, who have risen to sixth in the Western Conference without the forward and guard, could be significant. There is still a chance that Murray could return before the playoffs.
Porter averaged 19 points on 54 percent shooting, including 44.5% shooting from 3-point range. He was one of five players in the NBA to average 15 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from 3 for the 2020-21 season.
He had averaged only 9.9 points this season, but played his final game before having back surgery.
Porter signed a five-year contract extension. His freshman year at Missouri he had three back procedures.
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