Michael Porter’s block party swats away Warriors' upset bid of Nuggets

Porter recorded a game-high four blocks as the Denver Nuggets won their Christmas Day matchup with the Golden State Warriors, 120-114. 

The biggest came with 1:13 remaining, with Denver clinging to a six-point lead. Porter swatted Klay Thompson’s three-pointer from the corner, and the Warriors never got closer than four points.

It wasn’t his first block on Thompson behind the arc. In the third quarter, Porter swatted Thompson and took it in for a layup.

As a team, the Nuggets did a great job of denying the Splash Brothers. Thompson and Stephen Curry combined to shoot 6-for-23 on three-pointers. 

Even with Chris Paul, rookie Brandin Podziemski (13 points, five steals) and Andrew Wiggins (22 points) combing on 8-for-13 shooting, Porter’s shot-blocking kept the Warriors and Nuggets even with 14 made threes each.

It also helped that the Nuggets still have Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who went a perfect 18-for-18 from the foul line. Despite making only four field goals, Jokic finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists — which is somehow a below-average game for him.

Jamal Murray finished with 28 points, often going head-to-head with fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins. But it was Porter’s 19 points and 10 rebounds, even apart from his defense, that proved Denver is still a cut above its Western Conference rivals. 

The Warriors have been climbing back into the playoff picture with five straight wins. Christmas Day, Porter blocked their path.