Nuggets injury report: MPJ dealing with back strain, Jokic upgraded

Injuries have been a hot topic for the Denver Nuggets all season long, as many of the team’s top guys have missed time dealing with them. On Wednesday, a new face popped up on the injury report ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Michael Porter Jr. is listed as questionable with a low back strain. This does raise some red flags, as the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter has been plagued by low back problems throughout his career. He has had three back surgeries, one in college, one his rookie year, and one in late 2021, to address issues with the discs in his spine creating foot drop and other pains down his legs.

What’s key about this new injury is that a strain is muscle-related, not disc related. The three surgeries he’s had have all cut through the muscles in his low back, which will cause them to be somewhat messed up forever due to scar tissue. However, it should be something he takes his time to heal, especially with the injuries that Milwaukee is dealing with tonight. Back strains are just the first step to worse back injuries, and if anyone knows that, it’s Porter.

Despite having all these issues earlier in his career, Porter has been an iron man in the NBA as of late, playing in the second-most games of any NBA player in the last 24 months.

Over the last 24 months including the playoffs, Porter Jr. has played the 2nd most games in the NBA, and the 5th most total minutes.

Considering his injury history – it would make sense to give him some games off before the playoffs. https://t.co/DSDU0LEAIM

— Jake Coyne (@TheStatSquatch) March 26, 2025

A few games of rest would definitely benefit Porter in keeping this injury as mild as possible. While the Nuggets need all hands on deck as they push to secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, or at least the No. 4 seed, having players available in the playoffs is more important than having them available now, as seen with Nikola Jokic’s ankle injury.

For Jokic, he has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday’s game against Milwaukee. Similar to MPJ, it would be beneficial to keep him out another night if he’s not 100% due to the injuries the Bucks are dealing with that make the game a more favorable matchup for Denver.

The Joker hasn’t played in 11 days when the Nuggets had an embarrassing home loss to the Washington Wizards. His status being upgraded is a good sign that he’s close to being back, but it’s important for head coach Michael Malone and the rest of the Nuggets staff to bring him back at the right time.

Aaron Gordon has also been listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game as he continues to deal with his ankle and calf injuries. He has been in and out of the lineup for the last month, and didn’t play Monday against Chicago.

Christian Braun has been listed as probable with the foot injury that’s been bothering him recently.

Wednesday’s contest with the Bucks tips off at 7:00 p.m. from Ball Arena. Whether the Nuggets key players play or not, this is a game that Denver has to win for postseason seeding purposes.