Watch: Michael Porter Jr. shows some magic and finishes a tough layup in Game 5 of NBA Finals
Michael Porter Jr. showed up in Game 5 of the NBA Finals for the Denver Nuggets after struggling all series long. Porter showed off his skills in the third quarter to give the Nuggets a boost against the Miami Heat.
With about two minutes left in the third quarter, Nikola Jokic stripped the ball from Jimmy Butler. Porter Jr. recovered the rock and went coast-to-coast against two Heat players. He started his magic show with an incredible behind-the-back dribble on Duncan Robinson.
The 24-year-old forward then finished it off with a tough layup against Caleb Martin. The bucket tied the game at 62, with the Miami Heat taking a one-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
Here's the video of Porter' Jr.s incredible move and finish:
What a play by Michael Porter Jr 🔥 https://t.co/EFfNOLfZM9
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Michael Porter Jr. posts double-double as Denver Nuggets win NBA championship
Michael Porter Jr. continued to struggle with his jump shot in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. However, he was aggressive in attacking the Miami Heat defense and cutting to the basket. He finished with his best performance of the series with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Porter Jr.'s confidence never wavered despite all his critics and losing minutes to Christian Braun and Bruce Brown Jr. He admitted to reporters that he wasn't at his best, especially his shot. However, he added that he has the best teammates who continued to support him.
"My jumper was broke all series," Porter said. "I didn't play well offensively, to my capabilities but they know what I'm capable of. The confidence they were giving me every day was what good teammates do. I just stayed with it.
"Tonight's not my best shooting night but I kept playing hard. The only thing you can control is your effort. I could've scored two points, zero points, it doesn't matter. We won a championship. Nobody can tell me nothing."
Michael Porter Jr. said that even though he didn't have his best #NBAFinals his teammates continued to pick him up 🤗 "I could have scored zero points. I don't care, we won a championship. Can't nobody tell me nothing." #MileHighBasketball
GAME STORY: bit.ly/3JaniiW https://t.co/wUyGpIeWvk
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Michael Porter Jr. has endured a lot since his rookie season
Michael Porter Jr. went from a projected first-overall pick to the No. 14 selection in 2018. There were concerns about his back after he underwent surgery before the draft. The Denver Nuggets took a risk and it didn't pay off at the start.
Porter Jr. had to undergo another back surgery and was forced to miss the entire 2018-19 season. Having two back surgeries before playing a single NBA game is a huge red flag, but the Nuggets stuck with him and helped his progress.
The 24-year-old forward steadily became a contributor to the Nuggets in his first two seasons. However, he played just nine games last year after undergoing his third back surgery in four years.
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