Michael Porter Jr playoff battles have been a defining part of his NBA journey, particularly his consistent performances against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Now traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason, Porter Jr reflects on his role in several high-stakes playoff series against the Lakers, which have showcased his ability to shine under pressure.
Since entering the league in 2019-20 after missing his entire rookie year due to injury, Porter Jr has reached the playoffs every season, thanks largely to playing alongside Nikola Jokic with the Nuggets. His recent move to Brooklyn marks his first time joining a rebuilding team, presenting a new challenge as he aims to elevate his game further.
Memories From Intense Playoff Series Against LeBron and the Lakers
During a recent appearance on Johnny Manziel’s Glory Daze podcast, Michael Porter Jr spoke candidly about his experiences facing the Lakers in multiple playoff series. He described the intense atmosphere created by the Lakers fanbase while recalling his success against the team on the court.
“I used to love those series against the Lakers with Denver, because they were very exciting,”
Porter said.
“The Lakers fanbase is crazy, and they always thought they could beat us, but they never did.”
The forward noted that his style of play posed a difficult matchup for the Lakers, particularly when he was coming off screens to get his shots, which gave him an edge over their defense.
“I always had good series against the Lakers, so I loved playing against them,”
Porter continued.
“I don’t know what it was, but I always cooked the Lakers. I just think that they didn’t really have a matchup for me that was trying to come off of screens and things like that, and I was able to get to my shots. Some of the other teams we played down the road, they kind of had a little bit better matchup for me.”
Three Playoff Series Mark Porter’s Battles With L.A.
Michael Porter Jr has competed against the Lakers in the playoffs on three separate occasions. The first meeting came in 2020, when the Lakers eliminated the Nuggets on their way to winning the NBA bubble championship. However, recent postseason outcomes have favored Denver, including the dominant sweep of the Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, which helped Denver secure their franchise’s first NBA title.
The following year, the Nuggets delivered another decisive victory against L.A., this time sweeping them in the first round. During this series, Porter raised his level of play, averaging 23.8 points per game, a significant increase compared to his previous postseason stats against the Lakers.
The Lakers’ Ongoing Struggle Against Nuggets’ Key Players
Lakers fans have been frustrated by the team’s repeated losses to Denver, largely because of Nikola Jokic’s dominance. Even with Porter Jr leaving Denver, the Nuggets’ roster remains strong, featuring contributors such as Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Jamal Murray, who continues to deliver crucial shots in playoff matchups against L.A.
This sustained success against the Lakers signals that Denver remains a major obstacle for Los Angeles in the postseason, regardless of roster changes.
Porter’s New Chapter With Brooklyn and Personal Ambitions
While Porter cherishes his time with the Nuggets, joining the Brooklyn Nets opens up new possibilities to establish himself as a leading player on a team still building its competitiveness. He shared ambitions of reaching a new personal milestone in the NBA.
“He trying to get back to the All-Star game, I’m trying to be my first time All-Star.”
—Michael Porter Jr
If Porter can achieve his goal of becoming an All-Star for the first time, it would mark a major step forward in his career and potentially boost the Nets’ chances to surprise opponents this upcoming season.