Michael Porter Jr. Sidelined with Knee Tendinitis, Nets Navigate Short-Handed Lineup vs. Bulls
The Brooklyn Nets have leaned heavily on Michael Porter Jr. this season, and for good reason. The 27-year-old forward has been putting together a standout campaign, finally showcasing the consistency and durability that eluded him earlier in his career. But Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls came without their leading scorer, as Porter was ruled out due to right knee tendinitis.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez addressed the situation before tip-off, calling Porter “day-to-day” and leaving the door open for a potential return as early as Wednesday when the Nets face the Indiana Pacers. The tendinitis is affecting the same right knee that Porter sprained earlier in the season-an MCL issue that’s lingered-but Fernandez was quick to clarify that the two injuries are not connected.
Still, there’s some understandable caution here. Fernandez didn’t commit to Porter’s availability for Wednesday, so all eyes will be on Tuesday’s injury report for a clearer picture of his status.
Porter’s absence is a big one. Through 41 games this season, he’s averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest, while shooting a sharp 47.4% from the field and nearly 39% from beyond the arc. Those are All-Star level numbers, and they’ve been instrumental in keeping Brooklyn competitive through a season full of ups and downs.
Also sitting out Monday was rookie guard Egor Demin, who was given a rest day. Fernandez made it clear this wasn’t injury-related-just a chance to give the 19-year-old a breather in the middle of a long season.
Demin’s been a pleasant surprise in his first year, averaging 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while knocking down nearly 40% of his threes. His development has been one of the bright spots for Brooklyn’s young core.
With both Porter and Demin sidelined, Fernandez had to dig a little deeper into the rotation. That opened the door-at least potentially-for newly acquired players Ochai Agbaji and Josh Minott to make their Nets debuts. Both were part of Brooklyn’s moves ahead of last week’s trade deadline, and while there was no guarantee they’d see action against Chicago, the absence of two key rotation players certainly created an opportunity.
For the Nets, the short-term focus is on managing Porter’s knee and keeping Demin fresh, but longer term, these moments could be valuable. Giving minutes to Agbaji and Minott now might pay dividends down the stretch, especially as Brooklyn continues to shape its identity under Fernandez.
The team has made it clear: they’re building around a core of young, versatile talent. Porter’s health is central to that vision, and how Brooklyn manages his workload over the next few weeks could have a big say in how the rest of the season unfolds.