Mike Malone: Michael Porter Jr. out for 'foreseeable future'

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Porter Jr. will be out for the 'foreseeable future,' says Nuggets coach Michael Malone

By Adam Stites | Last updated 11/8/21

Michael Porter Jr. left the Denver Nuggets' 95-94 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday with a back injury and it doesn't sound like he'll be back on the court any time soon. According to Nuggets coach Michael Malone, Porter will be out for the "foreseeable future."

Porter, 23, appeared to suffer the injury on what should've been an exceptionally easy layup. He left the game after the play and didn't return.

Michael Porter Jr. really missed this layup pic.twitter.com/kFlZ2zvUau
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 6, 2021

Back issues are not new for Porter. In June, Porter "tweaked" his back in a Game 1 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals. During his collegiate career with the Missouri Tigers, Porter underwent back surgery and opted to have a second surgery just after he was drafted by the Nuggets. The second surgery came after he had back spasms just a couple weeks before the 2018 NBA Draft.

Porter has struggled so far in the 2021-22 season, averaging just 9.9 points and putting up a 35.9 field goal percentage. A year ago, he made 54.2 percent of his shots and averaged 19 points per game.

The Nuggets signed Porter to a five-year, $207 million maximum extension in September.

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