Every NBA season brings its share of ups and downs, but Michael Porter Jr. faced a unique set of challenges during his fifth campaign in the league.

A rollercoaster year concluded with feelings of frustration for Porter. “This is on me because I know if I would’ve played up to par for myself, I know I could’ve made a difference in the outcome of the series,” Porter expressed in the locker room after the Nuggets’ Game 7 loss to Minnesota. “I’ve got to live with that. I’ve got to take that on my shoulders like a man, and I’ve got to figure out a way to grow from it.”

Coach Michael Malone, however, didn’t agree with Porter’s self-criticism and made sure to address it. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that I couldn’t disagree with Michael more. I don’t want Michael Porter putting a series loss on him,” Malone stated. “We win together, we lose together. Michael is a huge part of our team. We do not beat the LA Lakers without Michael Porter’s stellar play, efficient play. We, as a team, had a tough series (against Minnesota). We as a team did not shoot the ball well. And I love the fact that Michael is kind of taking ownership of that. But it’s never placed on any individual.”

Porter began the season positively, playing in nearly every regular-season game and all postseason games, a remarkable feat given concerns about his back issues before the 2018 draft. “Back-to-back years, he’s played a crazy amount of games,” noted Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth. “That’s been a revelation for a lot of people in the league and including us, quite frankly, because considering some of the takes on his medical coming out of Missouri, a lot of people thought he wouldn’t be playing right now, right? So, I think he’s done a fantastic job of building this foundation and being able to play a lot of games now.”

However, challenges emerged in mid-April when Porter faced personal trials with his family. His younger brother Jontay was banned from the NBA for improper gambling activities, while another brother, Coban, was sentenced to six years in prison for a drunk-driving crash that resulted in a fatality. Between playoff series, a third brother, Jevon, was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Missouri.

“I’m not going to deny that it weighed heavily on me, or that I didn’t think about it constantly,” Porter confessed. “But that doesn’t excuse anything.”

Despite the challenges, Porter emerged as a key player for Denver in the first round. He consistently contributed with impressive performances, scoring at least 19 points in all five games and maintaining a remarkable 48.8% shooting accuracy from 3-point range. In Game 5 against the Lakers, Porter’s 26-point performance, including a 5-for-7 mark from beyond the arc, helped secure the victory. While Jamal Murray made crucial game-winning shots, Porter’s steady scoring relieved pressure on Nikola Jokic against the Lakers.

“I’m proud of him and inspired by his ability to handle all of that and still perform his duties,” remarked Malone.

“When people reflect on the Lakers series, they’ll remember Jamal’s game-winners. However, Michael Porter’s performance in the Lakers series was remarkable, considering his efficiency and productivity.”

In the second round against Minnesota, Porter faced tougher defensive matchups. The Timberwolves assigned Jaden McDaniels, a second-team All-Defensive selection, to guard him, a strategy that limited Porter’s scoring opportunities. Despite his reduced output, Porter’s efforts were recognized by Malone as a sign of respect from the opposition. Porter’s scoring average dropped to 10.7 points per game, and his 3-point percentage declined to 32.5%. After scoring 21 points in Game 3, Porter struggled to find his rhythm in the remaining games, culminating in a seven-point performance on 3 of 10 shooting in the decisive Game 7, ending his season.