Michael Porter Jr. shone brightly on the court against the New Orleans Pelicans, delivering one of his best performances of the season, scoring 36 points and leading the Denver Nuggets to a 125-113 victory at Ball Arena on February 3, 2025. His efforts were instrumental on both ends of the floor, underscoring not just his scoring ability, but also the potential conversations surrounding his future with the team as the NBA trade deadline looms.
Porter's 36-point game included 12-of-22 shooting from the field and 7-of-12 from three-point range, showing off his precision and scoring prowess. Despite missing his first four shots, the 6-foot-10 forward quickly found his rhythm, contributing significantly to the game, especially during the first half where he scored 20 points. The Nuggets coach, Michael Malone, praised his performance, stating, "Michael was great tonight. I have to give him a lot of credit." This game marked Porter’s first 30-point outing of the season and added another chapter to his comeback story after struggling with injuries in previous years.
Malone's statements also put to rest whispers about potential trade talks involving Porter, emphasizing, "We're not trading Michael Porter." This declaration highlights Porter's importance to the team, especially with Nikola Jokic and other key players—like Aaron Gordon, who signed extensions—likely off the table when it came to potential trades. The coach also added, "Michael helped us win a championship," showcasing the faith the Nuggets have placed in him as part of their core moving forward.
Following the game, Porter expressed his dedication to the Nuggets: "I’m going to be happy... and I’m going to play hard and try to help win games." He acknowledged the discussions around trades, noting, "If the day came where they wanted to trade me… I’ll be excited for the new opportunity, but it’s not something I think about at all." This statement reflects both his focus on the current season and his commitment to the team.
Throughout the game, the Nuggets showed dominance, particularly inside the paint with a 60-38 advantage against the Pelicans. While New Orleans' Trey Murphy III was the game’s highest scorer with 41 points, the Nuggets' ability to balance scoring across multiple players—Jokic also recorded 27 points with 14 rebounds and 10 assists—was key to their victory. Malone had high praises for the performance of Zeke Nnaji against Zion Williamson, who struggled throughout the game, stating, "He did tremendously against Zion." Nnaji stepped up as Gordon sat out, showcasing the Nuggets' depth.
The focus, though, remained on Porter, whose outstanding night not only lifted his team but also positioned him as an indispensable piece of the franchise during these important trade discussions. Other teams must be eyeing his scoring capabilities as well, yet the Nuggets seem confident about keeping him on the roster, maintaining their championship window intact.
Porter’s performance has sparked conversations about how Denver might move forward as the team seeks to compete at the highest level. Despite being the only player on the roster making over $9 million eligible for trade, it appears the Nuggets are committed to maintaining their core leading them to last season’s championship.
This game and Porter’s role within it serve as significant indicators of what is to come for the Denver Nuggets, both over the next few days leading up to the trade deadline and throughout the remainder of the season, as they hope to position themselves for another run at the championship with their stars intact.