David Adelman Makes Michael Porter Jr. Injury Confession as Nuggets Star Details Painful Experience

The lights were dimmer in Denver until overtime broke them wide open. The reigning champs didn’t just win Game 3 against the Thunder—they endured it. And if you looked closely, you could see it on Michael Porter Jr.’s face: not just focus, but pain. Not just determination, but wear. The walk wasn’t smooth. The shot wasn’t clean. But the message was: keep fighting, no matter the cost.

As Denver seized a 2-1 series lead in a grueling overtime battle, it wasn’t just Aaron Gordon’s clutch three or Jamal Murray’s two-way brilliance that told the story. It was Porter—limping, shifting, injecting himself just to stay playable. And it was Nuggets coach David Adelman, who gave voice to what the team felt but hadn’t yet said aloud.

“He’s been getting treatment every day, just trying to stay alive in this grind,” Adelman said post-game. “Proud of him. Really cool moment—not just for Mike, but for all of us.”

Michael Porter Jr. confirmed what many had quietly assumed: he took a lidocaine injection before Game 3 just to be able to walk onto the court.

“Felt a little bit better overall today,” he admitted. “I try to space it out and not do the injection every day, but right now it’s needed.” The context? Porter wants to play through a Grade 2 ankle sprain. The typical recovery timeline? Four to six weeks. Porter’s choice? Play anyway. “They said it would be 4-6 weeks. I’m not doing that,” he said firmly.

That quote alone speaks volumes. It’s not just about playing hurt—it’s about redefining what commitment looks like in the postseason. This is the part of the year where X-rays and win shares take a backseat to grit and sacrifice.

Porter gave Denver 21 points and 8 rebounds, but what doesn’t show on the stat sheet is what kept Denver’s offense breathing. With OKC blitzing Jokic and walling the paint, every bit of floor spacing mattered. MPJ’s willingness to fire—even on one foot—stretched the Thunder defense just enough.

“When Mike’s hitting, the floor just feels bigger,” Adelman added. “The way they’re guarding—taking away the paint—that’s why they’re one of the best defensive teams I’ve ever seen. So hitting open shots becomes everything.”

And in the playoffs, hitting isn’t just about mechanics. It’s about courage. It’s about pain management. And in Game 3, it was about Michael Porter Jr.

Nuggets Find Another Gear as OKC Shivers Late

While the spotlight often finds Nikola Jokić—and for good reason—Game 3 was proof that Denver’s championship engine runs deeper than just its MVP. Because this wasn’t a Jokić masterpiece. It was something far closer to a meltdown.

Jokić missed all ten of his three-pointers. He coughed up eight turnovers. His frustration was visible after his final miss at the end of regulation, slamming the bench in disbelief.

“20, 16 and six,” Adelman quipped afterward. “Just an awful NBA night.”

His sarcasm stung because it was true: by Jokić’s standards, this wasn’t it. But that’s what made the win so striking. Denver didn’t just win without Jokić dominating—they won because the rest of the roster elevated.

Aaron Gordon was heroic. The same man who sealed Game 1 with a dunk now drilled the game-tying three with 28 seconds to go. He ended with 22 points, eight boards, and five assists—one of the most complete postseason performances of his career.

Apr 10, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) finishes off a basket in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

“In these playoffs, AG has been amazing,” Porter said. “We don’t win three games without him making those shots.”

And then there was Jamal Murray: 27 points, 8 assists, 4 steals. Forty-eight minutes of relentless effort. He even stripped Jalen Williams in overtime to create a breakaway that broke OKC’s spirit.

“You dream about it and when the time comes to do it, you’re prepared,” Murray said. He wasn’t speaking just about himself. That dream—of stepping up when it’s needed most—is now collective.

But even amid those efforts, it was Michael Porter Jr.—limping, injected, fighting his body—who set the emotional tone. His shots stretched the defense. His pain grounded the locker room. And his post-game smile said more than words ever could.

OKC, meanwhile, stumbled.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, brilliant all season, froze in the biggest moments. He missed seven out of eight in the fourth and didn’t attempt a shot in overtime. Jalen Williams tried to rescue them with 32 points, but it wasn’t enough.

“Nothing’s written,” Shai said post-game. “The series is not over.”

True. But Denver is writing a story of its own… One of resilience, of ensemble survival, and of bodies breaking down, but belief holding strong.

If Michael Porter Jr. takes the floor again in Game 4, don’t just track his shot chart.

Track his courage. It’s limping into greatness.

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