Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is moving to be approved for on-court contact within the next week, freeing up a way for him to return to the lineup sometime in March, according to his agent, Priority Sports' Mark. Bartelstein told ESPN on Sunday.
Porter underwent lumbar spine surgery three months ago, a procedure that has allowed her to return to the floor and shoot pain-free in recent weeks. Once Porter is approved for contact, it is expected that it will be a matter of final ramp-up until his return in March.
The impact of Porter's return to the Nuggets (36–25), who have moved up to sixth in the Western Conference without forward and guard Jamal Murray, could be significant with Nikola Jokic chasing back-to-back MVP awards. . There is still hope that Murray - who suffered an ACL tear last season - can return even before the playoffs.
Porter, 23, averaged 19 on 54% shooting, including 44.5% shooting from 3-point range. According to ESPN Stats and Information Research, he was one of five NBA players to average 15 points on 50% shooting from the field and 3 to 40% for the 2020-21 season.
This season, battling a back injury, he averaged only 9.9 points before playing his last game before surgery on 6 November.
Porter signed a five-year, $172.5 million contract extension in the off-season. This was his third back procedure since November 2017 in his freshman year in Missouri.