Nightmare suspension in play for key Nuggets player for critical Game 5 vs Clippers

Most of the focus after the Nuggets' massive Game 4 victory, rightfully, was on Aaron Gordon’s heroic game-winning putback dunk to beat the buzzer and send the series back to Denver tied 2-2. Gordon’s slam was an iconic moment, one that will live on in NBA playoff highlight reels for the rest of time.

The chips were stacked against the Nuggets; they came into this game without Russell Westbrook and with a badly injured Michael Porter Jr. They had to play each of their five starters more than 42 minutes, and almost ran out of gas, blowing a 20-point fourth quarter lead, but they got the win and evened the series.

So, in all the shuffle, it’s easy to lose track of the skirmish that took place late in the second quarter of Game 4. The Nuggets had a foul to give with seconds remaining in the half, so Christian Braun reached in and committed an intentional foul on James Harden. 

The Beard took exception to the contact and got in Braun’s face, prompting a brief pushing and shoving match that resulted in three offsetting technical fouls assessed to each team, and play resumed with no further damage done.

MPJ could face suspension for leaving bench during scuffle

But, upon closer inspection, there may have been some further damage after all. A shot from the crowd clearly shows Michael Porter Jr., who was not in the game at the time, comes running off the bench once the scuffle begins. He didn’t make it far, but got close to the free-throw line, clearly on the court, before multiple Nuggets staffers grabbed him and pushed him back toward the bench.

The NBA, of course, has strict and specific rules in place that any player who leaves the bench during an altercation faces an automatic one-game suspension. This action by Porter Jr., but the league has set a strict precedent on issues like this, just ask a Phoenix Suns fan!

Mike was asked about the situation after the game and laughed about it, making light of the situation, apologizing, and expressing gratitude that he didn’t make it too far and wasn’t ejected from the game. He did later state that it was a good learning experience, and he was glad the coaches knew the rules and held him back.

Nuggets in massive trouble without Porter Jr.

But unfortunately for Porter Jr. and the Nuggets, this is no laughing matter. Porter Jr. is playing hurt, but they still need his minutes badly. He gutted it out and gave the team 17 points, leading them with 4 made threes on 7 attempts in 42 minutes.

Especially without Westbrook, David Adelman very clearly has nobody he trusts beyond his starters. Losing one now to a suspension would be an absolute disaster ahead of the biggest game of the season. 

The Nuggets better pray and repent to whatever basketball gods they believe in and be prepared to be disappointed. This may seem “soft” and unnecessary, but if the NBA follows the letter of the law, as they have in the past, there’s a good chance that Denver will be without Michael Porter Jr. for this all-important Game 5.