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A healthy Michael Porter Jr. has proven yet again that he is one of Nikola Jokic’s best and most trusted lieutenants. He finished tonight’s game with a team-high 28 points that included a rim-rattling dunk that Jokic probably didn’t want to be a part of.
Jokic drove into the lane for a nifty floater over Nic Claxton. His shot was just a little too strong, allowing the ball to bounce back just enough for Porter Jr. to slam it through.
When asked in a postgame interview if he apologized to Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. had this to say:
“On your head, boy!”
Jokic, Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray helped the Denver Nuggets open the game with a huge lead. They didn’t resemble the team that has been struggling of late, particularly on the road.
Murray and Porter Jr. combined for 35 first-half points that silenced Nets supporters at Barclays. The Nuggets looked like they were ready to run the home team off their own floor.
Denver took a 63-47 lead after two quarters, behind a sizzling 62.5% shooting from the field. When they’re playing like they did in the first half, the Nuggets can easily overwhelm opponents.
At one point, the Nuggets’ lead ballooned to 22 points but the resilient Brooklyn Nets refused to quit. The home team cut the lead down to 100-93 with just 3:44 left in the game. Michael Porter Jr. came up big with a 3-pointer that gave Denver a little more cushion.
Brooklyn also came from behind last Mar. 12 in Denver to stun the Nuggets 122-120. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray managed to keep the Nets at bay this time. The trio combined to score 75 points tonight to lead the win.
Fans react to Michael Porter Jr.'s dunk over teammate Nikola Jokic
Fans who saw Michael Porter Jr.'s follow-up slam over Nikola Jokic quickly sent in their thoughts:
"his defense is so bad his own teammates can abuse it"
The reactions were mostly on Jokic's unfortunate situation instead of Porter Jr.'s incredible dunk. "The Joker" has recently been trolled by fans for his defense and for previously leading the MVP race over Joel Embiid.
Embiid fans simply don't understand why the Nuggets center has been the MVP over the past two seasons over "The Process." Apart from a late surge in form by the Philly superstar, it looked like Jokic was winning the award for three straight years.
Michael Porter Jr.'s play, however, shouldn't be overlooked this season. Last season, Nikola Jokic took the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs with a decimated supporting cast.
If Denver pushes deep into the postseason today, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Porter Jr. are expected to play crucial roles.
"MPJ" is averaging 17.0 ppg on 49.1% shooting, including 41.1% from behind the arc. His ability to stretch the defense with his outside shots and aggressive rim attacks make the Nuggets more difficult to beat.
Nikola Jokic might not mind getting posterized as long as Michael Porter Jr. sustains his play.
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