Michael Porter Jr. is holding out hope that he can play in the first round of the playoffs.
I am taking it game by game. Porter told Andscape that he was not ruling anything out after the Nuggets lost to the Warriors 123-101 on Saturday night. I play it game by game. I wake up and I know I am doing well. I am getting closer every day.
Porter had back surgery on December 1. He had his third back surgery in November. After averaging 9.9 points and 6.6 rebound in the first half of the season, he appeared to be hampered by a shoulder injury. He last played for the Nuggets in November.
Porter was supposed to return to the lineup sometime in March, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Porter told Andscape that his hopes changed after he suffered a setback in his rehabilitation.
I was feeling good. I feel ready to go. I was ready to go back up. He said that he realized about a month ago that he was good, but he was pushing himself too hard to get back. I don't have any restrictions. I got a little sore when I got back to playing full speed. I decided that if I feel good, I will come back. I will take my time if that is the case.
Porter said that he feels close to perfect.
Porter, Murray and Campazzo were not with the team for the start of the series against Golden State. Murray hasn't played since tearing the knee in the playoffs. Campazzo served a one-game suspension for shoving Los Angeles Lakers guard Wayne Ellington. Porter and Murray are not out of the question. The Nuggets and Warriors are playing a game.
Porter played three games for Missouri because of back issues. After back surgery, the No. 1-ranked prep player in the Class of 2017 went from being a potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft to the 14th selection to the Nuggets.
The Nuggets rewarded him with a five-year extension worth at least $173 million that begins next season after he averaged 19 points, 7.3 rebound and 2.8 3-pointers in the 2020-21 season. He has only played 125 regular-season games over the last four seasons.
He said that he would rather be on the court than in the hospital. It is a good chance to grow. Some days I can see the positive. I'm stuck in the negative on some days. I'm trying to stay positive.
People have counted me out before. I will be back and better. It is a matter of time. People are caught up in the present. This is not the end of me. I have been through this before. I feel good. I will be back better than ever. I have no doubt in my mind.
Porter described the challenge of returning from his back injury being more mental than physical, and was thankful for his athletic trainers. He said his faith helped him through the tough days.
Through all my trials, I always go back to the bigger picture. I try to learn from that. I try not to give in because I know God has a plan for me. When you go through injuries, you realize that a lot of things are left up in the hands of the Almighty.
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