The Brooklyn Nets did not have Michael Porter Jr. during their 123-115 home win against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night due to tendonitis in the same right knee in which he had a sprained MCL earlier this season.
Considering his history, Porter’s latest injury has fans concerned. However, Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez downplayed any worries before last night’s game.
“It’s the same knee, but it’s unrelated. Tendonitis is something athletes deal with in different parts of the body,” Fernandez explained via Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “It’s good for him to take this game, see how he feels, and get him back feeling great. That’s the most important thing. Nothing to be concerned about. A lot of guys deal with it, but it’s good that Mike can focus on his body right now.”
“You guys know what he brings, shot-making and points and all that,” he continued. “But it is what it is. We won in Utah without him. There have been other games where we competed at a high level — Utah at home, we were up nine in the fourth on the second night of a back-to-back, and the game was well played, we just couldn’t close. Memphis, we were up eight with three minutes to go without Mike, too.
Brooklyn Nets News: Nolan Traore stands out in win vs. Chicago Bulls
The Brooklyn Nets were also without Egor Demin (rest), so Nolan Traore drew a rare start against the Chicago Bulls last night. The 19-year-old seized the opportunity by recording 13 points, three rebounds, and 13 assists on 5-for-11 shooting from the field in 32 minutes of action.
“It’s good because at the same time we’re learning to play with each other and we’re playing better. So it’s good,” Traore said. “(Jordi Fernández) trusts me a lot with the ball, and that’s important for me. Sometimes I can call the plays, sometimes he does, and we build that relationship, and it will be even better.”
“Nolan was making the right play to start, whether that was getting downhill, spraying it, scoring, hitting the pocket,” Noah Clowney said of Traore’s performance. “He was giving us an advantage and letting us play off that. When you play like that, it’s really easy.”
