David Adelman had his reasons for keeping one of the Denver Nuggets’ stars on the court, despite his ongoing difficulties.
The Nuggets kicked off their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder positively, managing to win Game 1 away from home. However, their fortunes took a drastic turn in Game 2, where they suffered a crushing defeat, losing by 43 points to the Thunder.
Aaron Gordon has expressed his commitment to fulfilling his championship dreams alongside Russell Westbrook, but the team’s struggles raised concerns about their ability to compete effectively. Among those struggling was Michael Porter Jr., who has been battling a shoulder injury throughout the playoffs. Despite his challenges, Adelman opted to keep Porter on the court to help him find his rhythm.
In his post-game remarks, Adelman acknowledged that the injury has impacted Porter’s shooting and rebounding ability. He justified his decision by noting that Porter had managed to make a few shots, saying, “That’s why I left him out there to see if he could find a rhythm.” Unfortunately, this strategy didn’t yield results, as Porter finished the game with only two points, failing to convert from areas where he typically excels.
Porter himself voiced his intentions to contribute to the team’s success, asserting that he chose to play despite his injury, motivated by the critical nature of the games. He mentioned, “It’s do or die for our team. So I don’t feel the pull to really try and rest it. I’m definitely going to go out there and try.” Furthermore, he expressed support for his teammates, stating he is willing to step aside if others are performing better.
Moving forward, the Nuggets will need to adapt to the absence of a high-performing Porter Jr. in their playoff aspirations. The challenge lies in finding a way to secure victories even if he cannot contribute at his usual level. The Nuggets’ resilience will be tested as they regroup and strategize for their upcoming games.