Report: Nuggets F Michael Porter Jr. to play Friday vs. Suns
Jan 22, 2021, 3:43 PM
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, drives as Houston Rockets guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Denver Nuggets are reportedly getting a big boost back in their rotation Friday night when they take on the Phoenix Suns.
Nuggets forward Michael Porter, Jr. will be back in the fold after being out due to health and safety protocols since Dec. 29, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. He’s missed a total of 10 games.
In the four games he played before being forced out, Porter averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds.
The forward was selected 14th overall by Denver in the 2019 NBA Draft. He sat out the 2018-19 season due to a back injury. Last season, however, Porter showed off his abilities in the NBA bubble, helping the Nuggets reach the Western Conference Finals.
In seven of the eight regular season games played inside the bubble, Porter averaged 22 points and 8.6 rebounds. He shot 55.1% from the field and 42.2% from long range.
Porter isn’t the only player in the matchup available after missing time due to health and safety protocols.
Available for the first time since Dec. 26 is Phoenix rookie and big man Jalen Smith.
Smith appeared in the first two games of the year before going down with a sprained ankle and contracting COVID-19.
“The good thing is I’m young, so I don’t really have nothing to be tired about,” Smith said via Zoom.
The Suns face off against the Nuggets at 8 p.m. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for the all action.
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