Michael Porter Jr.

Denver (AP) – Michael Porter Jr. has kept its focus on swinging shots, not the swirling trade rumors.

He has actually set them out and turned up his game. Wednesday night the denver nuggets’ sharp shooting forward a career high with 39 points in a 144-119 Victory over New Orleans Pelicans. This was after going on 36 points Monday in a win over New Orleans.

Porter has been the subject of speculation before Thursday’s trading deadline. He received a boost of confidence after Monday’s match when head coach Michael Malone simply said, “We are not acting Michael Porter.”

“I can’t check if I get traded or not, so it was never something I was stressed over,” Said Porter Wednesday Night after a performance where he also had 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals in almost 37 minutes. “But it’s nice to be a place where you are wanted and to know that your coach says it. … I know things can change quickly in this league and you have to win and you have to produce, but it’s good to know that you are wanted somewhere. “

His jumper was smooth all night when he finished 16 of 23 from the field and drained five 3-Pointers. His teammates got him the ball late in the game to try to break his career high, but his last jumper was out of the brand. Nuggets are 15-2 when Porter goes for 30 or more points.

“It wasn’t just the 39 and the beautiful jump shots,” Malone said of Porter’s big evening. “It was rebounding. It was the defense. It was also the activity and the piece. So hats to Michael just to influence the game everywhere. “

However, Trades are simply part of the NBA business and this season has already produced some blockbusters. Nothing would surprise three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who had 38 points on Wednesday.

“Don’t take it personally. It’s a business. It’s a job, ”Jokic said of his advice to teammates who may be treated. “It’s not that you have to do something else. You are going to (another) team to play basketball. It can happen.

“That doesn’t mean you’re a bad player, a good player. I think just maybe the team will change the energy. It’s a normal thing to happen in the NBA. “

Porter slid to Denver at No. 14 in the NBA draft in 2018 due to a back injury that derailed his college career in Missouri. He sat out of his first season in Denver after reviewing a back procedure in July 2018.

He signed a five-year maximum expansion with Nuggets in 2021. During his career, Porter is a 41% shooter from the range of 3-point.

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