The Denver Nuggets are encountering a pivotal Game 3 on Thursday night. After the first two games of their series took place in Denver, they will head to the Intuit Dome in LA for Games 3 and 4. The first round series with the Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers is knotted at 1-1. Denver hasn’t gone deep with their bench in the first two outings, but their depth may be further tested once Game 3 tips off. Starting small forward Michael Porter Jr. is listed as questionable for Game 3 after he suffered a left shoulder injury.
Nuggets Starter Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Michael Porter Jr, Sustained Shoulder Injury Late In Game 2
It was a double whammy for Porter Jr. late in the Nuggets Game 2 loss. With the game tied at 100 apiece, the 26-year-old grabbed a rebound but lost control of the ball. He dove to try to get it, but was unable to. It led to a Norman Powell three-pointer by the Clippers. LA never looked back in their 105-102 victory.
Not only was it a costly turnover, it was a costly play in general. By diving on the court, Porter Jr. sustained a left shoulder injury. He was taken out for the brief time remaining in Game 2. The 6-foot-10 forward is listed as questionable for Thursday’s contest.
Selected 14th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, Porter Jr. had more of an impact in Game 2 after a quiet Game 1. In the Nuggets defeat, he finished with 15 points (6-11 from field, 2-4 on three-pointers) and 15 rebounds. In the series opener, Porter Jr. could only muster three points on 1-4 shooting.
After having the injury-prone label placed on him, Porter Jr. has mostly stayed in the lineup of late. He appeared in 81 games in 2023-24 and 77 this season. In 2024-25, Porter Jr. posted averages of 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He shot 50.4% from the field, 39.5% from beyond the arc, and 76.8% from the foul line.
Russell Westbrook Likeky To Enter Starting Lineup If Porter Jr. Unable To Play
Through the first two games of the series, Nuggets head coach David Adelman has only given two reserves extended run. Russell Westbrook is averaging 29 minutes while Peyton Watson is averaging 14. While second-year player Jalen Pickett has appeared in both games, it has been just for a combined 12 minutes. After not playing in game 1, backup center DeAndre Jordan received five minutes of action in Game 2.
It seems likely that Adelman would insert Westbrook with the starters if Porter Jr. is unable to go. That would shift starting shooting guard Christian Bruan to small forward. The 36-year-old Westbrook nearly started half of his appearances this season (36 of 75).
Perhaps Julian Strawther would enter Denver’s rotation if Porter Jr. is unable to go. The 29th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the recently-turned 23-year-old averaged nine points per contest this season for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets/Clippers Game 3 is scheduled for 10 PM ET on Thursday, April 24. The Nuggets and their fans hope Porter Jr. will be able to give it a go, or their depth will be tested further.
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