Report: Nerve issue in back could sideline MPJ for season

The young Nuggets star’s season may be in jeopardy due to a nerve issue in his back, reports Mike Singer of the Denver Post

BY JOHNNY HART

Nov 22, 2021, 7:24 AM

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The worst fears of Denver Nuggets fans when it comes to the ailing back of Michael Porter Jr. might soon be realized.

Per the Denver Post’s Mike Singer, the budding star is dealing with a nerve issue in his back that could put his season in jeopardy.

According to Singer, sources say Porter was in Florida over the weekend seeking opinions on how to treat the injury, and the Nuggets have given him a week to “show improvements before considering other treatment options,” which may include surgery.

Porter exacerbated a lingering back injury earlier this month against the Houston Rockets and has not played since Nov. 6.

Considered one of the top prospects coming out in the 2018 NBA Draft, Porter slid down the board to Denver at No. 14 due to concerns with his back. He had a microdiscectomy that forced him to miss all but three games his only season at Missouri, which was followed by another surgery once he landed with Denver that sidelined him for his rookie season.

In late September, the Nuggets inked Porter to a five-year max contract with $145 million guaranteed.