Michael Porter Jr. Thrives in Brooklyn After Injuries and Setbacks

Brooklyn, NY — Michael Porter Jr. is stepping into the spotlight this season with the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing his development as a player after overcoming significant injuries early in his career. After being selected 14th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, Porter had a rocky start, missing his entire first season due to back surgery.

Now, seven years later, he is experiencing the growth the league has long anticipated. ‘You can see the growth,’ Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said recently. ‘We need him to keep growing.’ The 6-foot-10 forward scored a team-high 28 points in a recent game against the Detroit Pistons.

Porter’s journey has been fraught with challenges, including multiple surgeries and limited playing time while with the Denver Nuggets, where he was part of the team that won the 2023 NBA Championship. Amidst the presence of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Porter contributed effectively, shooting over 40 percent from three during his tenure.

In Brooklyn, however, the stakes are different. Porter was traded to the Nets recently and now faces a higher workload as one of the league’s veterans on the youngest team. He is currently averaging career highs of 22.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

‘It’s challenging,’ Fernandez mentioned while discussing Porter’s increased responsibility. ‘He touches the ball more. His turnovers are up, so he’s gotta clean that up a little bit.’ Despite his rising stats, Porter is also dealing with career-low shooting percentages, hitting 46.9 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from three-point range.

Porter understands the need to adapt as well. ‘I’m going to push myself to be able to handle a bigger load than I used to,’ he said last week. ‘I’ve always been someone that can adapt to a situation.’ His immediate attention will be to stay healthy and fine-tune his game as he navigates this adjustment.

The Nets recently suffered a setback, losing to the Pistons 125-107, but Porter remained a key player, recording 28 points along with five rebounds. With other players sidelined, including Cam Thomas for several weeks due to a hamstring injury, Porter’s role continues to evolve as the Nets look to build toward the future.

As Porter faces this fresh chapter in his career, he aims to lead his team through the ups and downs of the season. ‘It’s going to be a work in progress,’ he acknowledged. The Nets are set to play against their cross-river rivals, the New York Knicks, on Sunday afternoon at the Barclays Center.