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Michael Porter Jr. and the Denver Nuggets roared to a blistering start against the shorthanded Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of their second-round series. Denver was up 73-47 before "MPJ" added to Phoenix's misery with this acrobatic shot.
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"MPJ" had a solid first half finishing with eight points and three rebounds in 16 minutes. The athletic forward didn't need to score a ton of points as Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope took care of the buckets.
Jokic, Murray and "KCP" combined for 59 points on a sizzling 22-29 shooting. "The Joker" was particularly deadly as he hit 10-12 shots.
Michael Porter Jr. also had a hand in limiting Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant. KD had eight points, making just 2-11 of his shots in the first 24 minutes of the game.
Porter Jr. didn't have his best game of the series in Game 6. He still finished with 10 points and five rebounds. The streaky shooter was only 4-10 from the field and missed all four of his three-point attempts.
Michael Porter Jr. will be ready for whoever his team will face in the Western Conference Finals
The Denver Nuggets had an 81-51 advantage entering the third quarter. They sustained their huge lead and eventually hacked out a 125-100 win and eliminate the Phoenix Suns in six games.
Michael Porter Jr. and the Nuggets will face the winner of the series between the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles holds a 3-2 lead in that other semifinal round.
Whether it's the Lakers or the Warriors who will join the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, "MPJ" should be raring to play. Denver's starting small forward wasn't available last year in the Nuggets' playoff run.
Porter Jr. last played during the 2020-21 playoffs where Denver was swept by the Phoenix Suns in the semi-finals. He averaged 17.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 1.3 APG during that year.
"Showtime" has been a big factor in the Denver Nuggets' championship aspirations this season. Denver has a more balanced and deeper roster than the one that were eliminated by the eventual champs, Golden State Warriors, in 2022.
Michael Porter Jr. has started in all 11 playoff games this year. He is averaging 14.5 points on 47.2% shooting, including a career playoff-high 40.0% from behind the arc.
Porter Jr.'s versatility, size and length will be a key for the Denver Nuggets' title hopes.
You may also like to read: 3 Risks Denver Nuggets took by handing Michael Porter Jr. a max contract
