Michael Porter Jr. Injured Again
Michael Porter Jr. missed Monday’s game due to tendinitis in his right knee, which had previously troubled him with an MCL sprain this season.
Manager Jordi Fernandez tried to ease any worries ahead of the Nets’ victory over the Bulls, which ended 123-115.
“It’s the same knee, but these are different issues. Tendonitis is common among athletes,” Fernandez explained. “What matters is that he can take this opportunity to assess how he feels and work towards feeling great again. There’s really no cause for concern. Many players face this, but it’s beneficial for Mike to concentrate on his health right now.”
Before Porter joined the lineup, Brooklyn had recorded 13 wins against 28 losses, but without him, the team’s performance plummeted to just one victory and nine losses.
Fernandez acknowledged Porter’s contributions, saying, “You all know what he brings—his scoring abilities and shot-making. But that’s just part of the equation. We did win without him in Utah. There were matches where we performed really well. In Utah, on the second night of back-to-back games, we had a nine-point lead going into the fourth quarter. We played nicely, yet we couldn’t seal the win. Against Memphis, we were ahead by eight points with only three minutes left—again, without Mike.”
“Do we miss him? Absolutely. But the rest of the team can still execute plays, make the right shots, and defend well. Our expectations don’t waver with or without Michael. We enjoy having him on the court, but our commitment remains unchanged,” he added.
In the game versus Chicago, rookie Egor Demin also played but was just resting. Meanwhile, both Ochai Agbaji and Josh Minott, who were acquired at the trade deadline, were ready for action against the Bulls.
For the Bulls, several players including big man Zach Collins, rookie Noah Esseng, and point guards Josh Guidi, Tre Jones, and Jalen Smith were all sidelined.
In other news, Cam Thomas, who was released by Brooklyn at the trade deadline, cleared waivers on Sunday and has signed with the Bucks.
“I feel welcomed here,” Thomas expressed during his introductory visit to Milwaukee. “It’s great that everyone is excited about me being here. The front office has shown they’ve wanted me for a long time and it’s nice to finally be here.”
