Denver, CO – Michael Porter Jr. etched his name into Denver Nuggets history on Friday night, leading his team to a 126-103 rout of the New York Knicks while setting a new franchise scoring record.
Porter exploded for 59 points on an efficient 20-of-36 shooting, surpassing Carmelo Anthony’s previous single-game record of 50 points set in 2014. The 24-year-old wing also grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.
“It feels great. I’ve worked really hard for this,” Porter said after the game. “It’s a blessing to be able to play with this team and have the support of the fans. I’m just trying to do my part.”
Porter’s performance was all the more impressive considering he was playing through an ankle injury. He aggravated the injury in the second quarter but returned to the court in the third and proceeded to score 23 points in the second half.
“It was tough to get through, but I wanted to be out there with my guys,” Porter said. “I’m glad I was able to push through and help us get the win.”
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone praised Porter for his determination and resilience.
“He’s a special player. He’s only going to get better,” Malone said. “He has the potential to be one of the best players in the league.”
The Nuggets’ victory snaps a three-game losing streak and improves their record to 23-14. It also marks the first time Porter has scored 50 or more points in an NBA game.
Porter was drafted by the Nuggets with the 14th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He has developed into a key player for Denver, averaging 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season.
Porter’s historic performance sends a statement that he is a rising star in the NBA. It also provides a boost of confidence to the Nuggets, who are looking to make a deep playoff run this season.
Porter is expected to undergo an MRI on his ankle to determine the severity of the injury. The Nuggets will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
