Ranking 10 NBA stars returning from injury by playoff importance

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2021 in New York City. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 105-96. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 25: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Cleveland Cavaliers at Ball Arena on October 25, 2021 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

NBA star injury returns: No. 6 – Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr. was never supposed to be available at pick No. 14 in the 2018 NBA Draft. The No. 2 recruit in his high school class, Porter was on track to be a top-5 pick before he suffered a back injury and missed most of his freshman season at Missouri. That injury has lingered, costing him first his rookie season and now the vast majority of his fourth.

That injury was what pushed him down to pick No. 14 in the first place, however, so it was a factor the Denver Nuggets had to take into account when making their decision. When Porter has played, he has been lights out, a smooth shooting combo forward hitting 41.9 percent of his career three-pointers. Last season, he averaged 19 points per game as he grew into his offensive role.

That Porter did not show up this season, and after nine games, he left the lineup to address his back injury. Now, rumors are swirling that Porter hopes to return sometime this month, just in time to help the Nuggets with a playoff push.

Porter and Aaron Gordon are the perfect forward tandem, with each being elite in the areas that the other is not. In a Western Conference where few other forward pairings are this dynamic, a healthy Nuggets team could make a true play for the NBA Finals, with Porter acting as a lethal third option.