After scoring just three points and not being part of the closing lineup in the Nuggets‘ Game 1 win on Saturday, forward Michael Porter Jr. bounced back in Game 2 on Monday, posting 15 points and 15 rebounds in 33 minutes of action. However, when he spoke to reporters after the game, Porter admitted he was dwelling on a key fourth-quarter moment that he felt cost his team the game.
With the score tied at 100 and 1:40 remaining, Porter grabbed a defensive rebound and went to throw an outlet pass, but lost control of the ball and turned it over (Twitter video link).
Clippers guard Kris Dunn fell on the Nuggets forward as the two players battled for the loose ball, injuring Porter’s shoulder and slowing his efforts to get back on defense. With the Clippers essentially in a 5-on-4 situation, Norman Powell knocked down a three-pointer that turned out to be the difference in a 105-102 L.A. victory.
According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Porter went around Denver’s locker room after the game apologizing his teammates for that play, which he viewed as a difference-maker.
“I feel like it was on me with that turnover,” Porter said (Twitter video link via DNVR Sports). “I thought I had someone streaking down (the floor). I was trying to advance it up. But I saw that I didn’t (have someone looking for the pass), so then I ended up turning it over. Just felt like that was the biggest turnover of the game. … I just had to tell my guys, “My fault, that was my mistake.'”
It was a case of adding insult to injury for Porter, who told reporters he sustained a sprained joint in his left shoulder on the play. He downplayed the issue as “nothing too serious,” expressing optimism that he’ll be good to go for Game 3 on Thursday in Los Angeles, but he admitted he was in a lot of pain when the injury happened.
“I made a stupid play after I got the rebound, and tried to make up for it,” Porter said, per Durando. “And someone landed on my shoulder. … I’ve never experienced a pain like this in my shoulder area. I’ve had rolled ankles, so I know what I can play through with that. I’ve never had this. Luckily, it’s on my left side, not my right side, so that’s good.”
That left shoulder joint sprain isn’t the only health-related issue Porter is dealing with, Durando notes. The 26-year-old, who has worn a foot brace for years to support instability in his left ankle and foot, said after Monday’s game that his brace broke recently and he hasn’t been able to get comfortable in a replacement.
“I’ve been trying to get used to a new one,” Porter said. “None of them seem to fit right, and it’s just affecting my movement. I’m not used to them. So I haven’t been as confident in my movements since that one broke. … It’s the worst time to deal with it.”
While the sample size is very small, Porter’s -13.3 net rating is the worst among Denver’s top seven rotation players through the first two games of the first-round series.