2 min read • February 22, 2022
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One of the most disappointing developments of the 2021-22 NBA season has been Nuggets' young star Michael Porter Jr.'s continued back issues, which have prevented him from taking the court since Nov. 6.
Porter Jr. underwent lumbar spine surgery on Dec. 1 to repair an apparent nerve issue in his lower back that had lingered since the preseason, although neither the Nuggets nor Porter Jr. has disclosed the specifics of the back injury or the surgery.
The surgery was the 3rd for the 23-year-old forward from Missouri, the previous 2 surgeries coming in Nov. 2017 and July 2018.
Porter Jr. will be walking a fine line for the rest of his career, as a 4th surgery may spell the end of it, say the ProBasketballDocs.
For this season, however there does remain hope that the 6'10" elite wing scorer can return – in concert with guard Jamal Murray – in time for the playoffs, although the process will be a slow one.
Denver President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly said on local sports radio last week that the team will soon clear Porter Jr., but it will be up to him when and if he returns to the Nuggets.
It would behoove the Nuggets to take advantage of yet another dominant season from marvelous center Nikola Jokic, who is leading the NBA in multiple advanced stats while playing 52 of 58 games.
Despite the optimism from all parties involved, Porter Jr. and co. will certainly be slow and steady as he ramps up for a potential return as they navigate his precarious situation.
As they have showed since drafting the Missouri grad with the No. 13 overall pick in 2018, the Nuggets are willing to play the long game to ensure Porter Jr. can be a key piece for the franchise deep into this decade. That will certainly be the case after the 5-year $172 million max extension last September (potentially as he was struggling with the back issue).
If he does return, the Docs do not expect him back immediately as he tests his back and gets back into game shape.
A late-season return, however, is absolutely in the cards for the Joker-led Nuggets.
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