Nuggets News: Michael Porter Jr.'s Struggles Continue to Plague Team Ahead of Playoffs

As the Denver Nuggets struggle to get back on track ahead of the playoffs, one player's inconsistent performance continues to be a major concern. Michael Porter Jr., the team's third-leading scorer, has been putting up 17.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, but his shooting splits have been unimpressive at 49.1/41.2/80.8.

Despite his struggles on the court, Malone surprisingly singled out Porter as a major issue for the team's defensive woes. However, it's not just Porter who has struggled defensively; the entire team has shown poor defense in recent games. In fact, the Nuggets have been outscored 37-18 in their last three games, and it's clear that something needs to change.

In the first two games of the losing streak, Porter had a rough outing, scoring just 12 points on 13 shots against the Chicago Bulls. He was also ejected for grabbing Zach Collins' throat during the loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The fourth-quarter benching continued what has been a rough stretch for Porter, who has struggled with consistency throughout the season.

However, Malone did offer some praise for Christian Braun, who brought energy off the bench in 11 minutes of play. Braun scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds while making some key defensive plays. Additionally, the group that was on the court in the fourth quarter played well, which is a positive sign for the team moving forward.

While Porter's struggles are certainly a concern, it's clear that the entire team needs to improve its defense if they want to make a deep playoff run. With the playoffs looming, the Nuggets need to find a way to shore up their defensive issues and get back on track.

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