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Michael Porter Jr. shows potential in first NBA game

By Thomas Huitt-Johnson

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 24: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during the Denver Nuggets Media Day at the Pepsi Center on September 24, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 24: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during the Denver Nuggets Media Day at the Pepsi Center on September 24, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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Former Mizzou forward Michael Porter Jr. had a good first night with the Denver Nuggets.

Michael Porter Jr. made his NBA debut Tuesday night.

The one-time Mizzou Tiger entered the game in the second half of the Denver Nuggets’ first preseason game. The Nuggets played on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers and won 105-94.

For his part, Porter played in 17 minutes and went 4 of 7 from the field with nine points. He picked up three defensive rebounds and had a +6 player proficiency.

We heard he was at full health last month, Tuesday was the first time we saw it. Here are some highlights from Porter’s first action:

The debut was highly anticipated for Nuggets and Tigers fans. But they had to wait a while.

Plenty of people were upset as Porter didn’t enter the game until the second half. They sat through more than two quarters of preseason action before they could take in the former first-round pick’s talent.

But once he got on the floor, he provided flashes of talent.

He entered the game under the 5-minute mark of the third frame and immediately nailed a step-back jumper.

Porter showed his potential as he played the rest of the game, helping the Nuggets stretch their lead and never give it back to Portland.

The forward hasn’t played a lot of basketball the past two years, so it’s good to see that he still has plenty of skill to show, even in the preseason.

Porter missed most of his only year at Mizzou, playing in three games before exiting for the NBA. He fell in the 2018 NB Draft because of injuries, and the Nuggets gave him a redshirt year in 2018-19.

Now, entering Year 2, he is technically a rookie, and looks to give a top NBA Western Conference team another threat that could send them over the hump to the NBA Finals.

Tuesday was a good first step, for Porter and the Nuggets, Yahoo writes.

It will be fun to watch his first year. We didn’t get to see enough of him in Columbia.

Next. Mizzou football: Plenty of changes on the depth chart. dark

The Nuggets play again Thursday night at the Los Angeles Clippers.

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