Michael Porter Jr. could face suspension for role in Game 4 fight

Michael Porter Jr. is already apologizing for his actions during a first-half fight between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The forward was not involved in the shoves because he was on the visiting team’s bench, but depending on how you see it, he may have left the area. If the NBA judges that MPJ left the bench while the dust-up took place, the Nuggets sharpshooter will be subject to an immediate suspension.

Clippers-Nuggets Game 4 getting heated pic.twitter.com/vs7tvxnBWD

— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 26, 2025

Porter played through a shoulder injury again in Game 4, as the Nuggets won a buzzer-beating dunk from Aaron Gordon. Already down Russell Westbrook to an injury, Porter is incredibly important to the shallow Nuggets. He led the team in three-point shooting during Saturday’s win, scoring 17 points across his 42 minutes of action. Porter was also the leading rebounder for the Nuggets in Game 2, with 15 boards. But it’s late in that contest that he busted up his shoulder, which is causing him so much pain, where he is struggling to get clothes on and off.

“Sorry. I didn’t know the specific rule. I’m glad I didn’t make it very far,” Porter told reporters after the game. “To see my guys get in it like that, I’m just glad I didn’t make it very far. The coaches and my teammates were aware. Because I wasn’t fully aware of any type of rule, but I’m very thankful that I did not get tossed from this game or anything like that. Definitely a learning experience for sure.”

Six players in total were issued technical fouls for the mix-up, with everything but a closed-fist punch tossed between the teams.

Here’s what the NBA will be judging with MPJ over the coming days, according to the league’s rulebook:

During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators will be subject to suspension, without pay, for a minimum of one game and fined up to $50,000.

1. The suspensions will commence prior to the start of their next game.

Michael Porter Jr. on leaving the bench during the Clippers-Nuggets scuffle:

“Sorry. I didn’t know the specific rule. I’m glad I didn’t make it very far… To see my guys get in it like that, I’m just glad I didn’t make it very far. The coaches and my teammates were aware.… pic.twitter.com/gXaklGQqf6

— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 27, 2025

So Porter’s status will be in doubt and at the very least be debated over the coming days ahead of Game 5 in Denver.