Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nuggets Star Reveals Truthful Response to Concerning Injury Amid Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated May 10, 2025 10:22 AM ET

The Denver Nuggets had to overcome quite a bit of adversity to win Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, 113-104, on Friday.

For one thing, Nikola Jokic had one of his worst games in memory. The three-time MVP shot just 8-of-25 from the field and missed all 10 of his 3-point attempts while committing eight turnovers, although he had 17 rebounds to help his team's cause.

While starting forward Michael Porter Jr. had a strong game, he played through a painful shoulder injury. He admitted after the game that it was suggested he would have to sit out for a long period of time due to his injury.

"They told me it would be a 4 to 6 week injury before I could return. I was like I'm not doing that," he said.

MPJ on playing through a shoulder injury:

"They told me it would be a 4 to 6 week injury before I could return. I was like I'm not doing that" pic.twitter.com/LKMZk45MBO
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 10, 2025

Porter has been one of the most important contributors to the Nuggets over the last few years. He emerged during the 2020-21 season, and two years later, he played a large role in the team winning its first NBA championship.

Now that Denver has taken a 2-1 series lead over the Thunder, it could very well win it all again this season.

With Jokic shooting blanks for most of Game 3, Porter helped pick up the slack with 21 points on 7-of-10 field-goal shooting while hitting five of his six 3-point attempts and also contributed eight rebounds.

It was his best performance of the playoffs so far, and it helped put the Nuggets in position to put a stranglehold on a team that won 68 games during the regular season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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