Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr. to return, play Friday vs. Suns

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is back. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Porter will be active and in the rotation for Friday's matchup at the Phoenix Suns. The 22-year-old hasn't played since he tallied 30 points and 10 rebounds in a 125-115 loss to the Sacramento Kings back on Dec. 29 because of the NBA's health and safety protocols. 

In total, Porter missed 10 consecutive games, including Tuesday's 119-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder that moved the Nuggets to 7-7 on the season. Denver lost four of five to start the campaign. 

Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters on Thursday that Porter was questionable for Friday's contest and had to pass a cardio exam to play at Phoenix. "Once you clear and you start returning negative tests, that is a big part of it, but then there's a cardio aspect of it you have to pass," Malone said at that time. "... Once all that comes back into play, hopefully he will be able to play at some point on this trip. If it's tomorrow, great. If not, hopefully sometime soon after."

Teammate JaMychal Green added: "We are on the right path, now that we are back to a full team. Once [Porter] gets to jell with us and we get that chemistry with him, I think we will be unstoppable."

Porter averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in four games, all starts, before he became unavailable.