MICHAEL PORTER JR’S REPLACEMENT STARTS WITH THE BENCH

 By: Emily Poulas

Photo by: NBC Sports

With their newest max contract player ruled out, the Denver Nuggets’ bench will need to step up to keep the team afloat against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Stadium on December 9th. 

Denver (10-10) were possible championship contenders coming into the season as they ended the last year being third in the western conference. Due to injuries, they have dropped to ninth in the conference, but it is still too early to count them out of a playoff run. They beat the odds once in the Bubble last summer, becoming the first team to come out of two 3-1 deficits during the postseason. If the Nuggets can take this game, it could be the momentum they need going into the new year to make a run to secure a playoff spot. 

The Nuggets were already going through a major rebuild, and Michael Porter Jr.’s injury has only added to it. Porter Jr. agreed to a five-year rookie-scale for a guaranteed 145.3 million at the start of the season. The rising star suffered a back injury after bombing a layup against the Houston Rockets. He has not returned to the court since and was said to undergo surgery Wednesday. With Jamal Murray still on the shelf and P.J. Dozier also out indefinitely with a torn ACL, it is no doubt Denver will need to find a way to substitute MPJ’s production. 

Nikola Jokic will be Denver’s X factor. The reigning MVP is averaging 25.7 points and 6.4 assists per game. The bench also gives the Nuggets some firepower, especially players like 30 year old rookie, Facu Campazzo.

“He is also supplying the energy, defense, and pace of the play the Nuggets need to wear opponents down,” Tommy Knowlton, NBA Sports Writer says. 

The Nugget’s key to winning the next few games will be to survive without MPJ. The 6’10 and 218 pound forward supplied them with boards underneath the basket as well as shooting from behind the arc.

“Nuggets may not be able to replace Michael Porter Jr., but they might be able to recreate him,” Ryan Blackburn, Denver NBA writer says. 

The name of the game will also be getting hot from three point land. Veteran Will Barton as well as Aaron Gordon and Monte Morris all have the capability to do so. The Spurs are only averaging 107.2 points per game. If they can run the score up, San Antonio will not be able to compete. 

As for the Spurs, the team has fallen under the radar so far this season. Derrick White and Dejounte Murray have been carrying them so far. White has been averaging 12.1 points per game and Murray 19.1 points per game. The team is good at creating turnovers and able to score in transition, but are not good from behind the arc. They are sitting at 12th in the western conference with a record of 6-13.

The Nuggets and Spurs have faced off only once before during the 2021-2022 season. They played on October 22 at Mile High Stadium. With home court advantage, the Nuggets were able to connect and took the win 102-96. 

Denver got back on track by defeating Miami on Monday after losing the previous six games, but dropped another one Wednesday night against the Magic. San Antonio is currently on a two game winning streak after also losing the previous six games before that. 

It all comes down to the team that has the most heart. Denver has displayed a lot of grit so far, making their chance to win this game look promising. 

The pick: Denver 112, San Antonio 105