Brooklyn's top scorer revealed why he's earned multiple rest nights from his team in making a stunning admission about his health.
Michael Porter Jr. noticeably took two rest nights this month already. Many believed if maybe the Brooklyn Nets were doing that to help his potential trade value.
Turns out it was something deeper than that, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Which additionally explains the decline in scoring production on MPJ's end.
“I actually was dealing with an MCL, a little sprain against Orlando," Porter Jr. told Lewis. "My knee has been a little sore, so I haven't been as explosive on some of my movements to get myself open. That's getting better."
Neither he nor the rest of the Nets were a major factor inside the Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. The rival New York Knicks ran Brooklyn out of MSG with an astonishing 120-66 rout. It's now the largest margin of victory in Knicks franchise history.
Porter settled for only 12 points...which still led Brooklyn on the night. His head coach Jordi Fernandez, however, admitted after the game that "MPJ" wasn't at 100% -- indicating he also knew about the ailment in his knee.
"He had some discomfort, but he kept playing," Fernandez said to reporters after the massive loss. "He’s played all the way through."
Fernandez also clarified that Porter Jr.'s knee is something Brooklyn isn't ignoring.
"We value our players’ health, and if it were something that didn’t allow him to play, we would do whatever it takes to figure that out," Fernandez said. "But he’s played, so I don’t think I have anything else to say from that.”
Still, this big admission by Porter helps reveal why the Nets handed him rest nights. Even if a team makes a trade for the potential 2025-26 NBA All-Star, they must perform some injury management to keep Porter healthy. Especially if it's a team gunning for a playoff spot.
As for the rest of the Nets, Wednesday became a forgettable shooting night.
Reserve Ziaire Williams emerged as the only other Brooklyn player to hit double digits on the scoring end -- settling on 11 points.
Noah Clowney scored eight points in starting duty. Drake Powell, Day'Ron Sharpe and Egor Demin all scored six apiece (Sharpe came off the bench). Nic Claxton added just four points.
Cam Thomas settled for five points in bench duty -- who's another hearing his own name linked to trade chatter across the league. The Nets insider Lewis revealed that Thomas' time in Brooklyn is likely coming to an end.
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