Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. has missed each of the team's last three games due to the league's COVID-19 protocols, but he should be available Thursday night.
Nuggets insider Kay Winge reported Porter should be cleared to return from COVID-19 contact tracing if “all things go as planned.”
Assuming all things go as planned, I’m told Michael Porter Jr should be cleared tonight and available to play tomorrow when Denver takes on the Dallas Mavericks.
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) January 6, 2021
Porter has already looked more and more like the future cornerstone the Nuggets hoped he would be when they selected him with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.
The former Missouri product hardly garnered any collegiate experience and also missed the entirety of the 2018-19 campaign with a back injury. But Porter excelled in limited playing time during the regular season last year, and put together a few explosive performances during the NBA restart. He has kept the momentum rolling.
Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals through his first four appearances. He is shooting 56.6 percent from the field, as well as 42.3 percent from beyond the arc on 6.5 attempts per game.
The skills Porter has displayed thus far could make him a trade asset in a potential blockbuster for a James Harden or Bradley, but the Nuggets have demonstrated little to no willingness in dealing Porter.
Instead, Denver will hope Porter can rapidly develop into a third star alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The Nuggets are just 3-4 to start the year, but will have a chance to get back to .500 after consecutive wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Porter should rejoin his teammates against the Mavs, barring any further complications.
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