Michael Porter Jr. tested positive for COVID-19

After starting Nuggets small forward Michael Porter Jr. cleared his initial quarantine due to COVID-19 contact tracing last week, he saw his isolation window extended for an extra 10 to 14 days. Head coach Michael Malone noted Tuesday night that Porter’s continued absence from the team was a result of his testing positive for the novel coronavirus, according to Kendra Andrews of The Athletic (Twitter link).

The Nuggets could certainly use the 22-year-old’s contributions on the floor. After a 122-116 loss to the Nets Tuesday night, Denver fell to a 5-6 record and the No. 11 seed in a talented Western Conference.

In four games, the 6-10 forward out of Missouri is averaging 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 BPG and 1.0 SPG in 29.4 MPG during the 2020-21 season. Veteran swingman Will Barton has started in Porter’s stead thus far. Denver is next scheduled to host the Warriors in a TNT broadcast on Thursday.