If you’ve been watching the Brooklyn Nets lately, you’ve probably noticed that Michael Porter Jr. looks like a completely different human being. Not physically, of course—he’s still that 6'10" walking bucket with a release point somewhere in the stratosphere. But the Michael Porter Jr game log for the 2025-26 season tells a story that honestly feels like a fever dream for anyone who watched him in Denver.
For years, MPJ was the ultimate third option. He was the guy who stood in the corner, waited for Nikola Jokic to find him, and knocked down triples with machine-like efficiency. Fast forward to 2026, and he's basically been handed the keys to the franchise in Brooklyn.
The numbers are kind of staggering. He’s currently averaging a career-high 25.9 points per game. Think about that for a second. That is a nearly 7-point jump from his best season with the Nuggets. But is it just "empty calories" on a rebuilding team, or is Porter finally becoming the superstar everyone thought he’d be back in high school?
Breaking Down the Recent Michael Porter Jr Game Log
Looking at his last few outings, you can see the sheer volume he's dealing with now. In Denver, if Mike took 20 shots, someone was probably getting yelled at in the film room. In Brooklyn? That’s just a Tuesday.
On January 12, 2026, against the Dallas Mavericks, he dropped 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He also grabbed 9 rebounds, falling just shy of a double-double. But check this out—he also had 6 turnovers. That’s the "new" MPJ. When you have the ball this much, things get messy.
A Quick Look at the Last 5 Games
- Jan 12 @ DAL: 28 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST, 6 TOV (52.9% FG)
- Jan 9 vs LAC: 18 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 4 STL (35.0% FG)
- Jan 7 vs ORL: 34 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 5 TOV (50.0% FG, 8/18 3PT)
- Jan 4 vs DEN: 27 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST, 1 BLK (47.1% FG)
- Dec 29 vs GSW: 27 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL (55.6% FG)
That January 4th game against his old team, the Denver Nuggets, was probably the highlight of his season so far. He didn't just score; he bullied his way to 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Seeing him distribute the ball like that is wild when you remember his "never swing the rock" reputation from a few years ago. Honestly, he looked like he had something to prove.
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The Efficiency Question: Is the "Jokic Tax" Real?
There was a lot of chatter on Reddit and Twitter (well, X) about how MPJ would struggle without Nikola Jokic. People called it the "Jokic Tax." The theory was that without the best passer in the world creating wide-open looks, Porter’s percentages would crater.
The data suggests... it’s complicated.
His 3-point percentage is currently sitting around 40.6%. That’s elite, especially considering he’s launching a career-high 9.4 attempts per game. In Denver, a lot of his shots were "catch-and-shoot" from the corner. Now? He’s hitting off-the-dribble triples and contested fadeaways.
His effective Field Goal percentage ($eFG%$) is still a very healthy 59.8%. He hasn't become inefficient; he's just become more of a volume scorer. However, his True Shooting percentage ($TS%$) has taken a slight hit because he isn't getting as many easy layups at the rim. Everything is earned now.
Health and the Trade Deadline Rumors
You can't talk about the Michael Porter Jr game log without mentioning the "I" word. Injuries.
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The fact that he’s played 30 games already this season is a huge win. His back has held up, despite the massive increase in his usage rate (which is currently north of 31%). But because he’s playing so well, the rumor mill is spinning faster than a Kyrie Irving crossover.
Word around the league is that the Nets might be looking to "sell high." John Hollinger at The Athletic recently noted that some consider it a "lock" that Porter gets moved before the February deadline. Why? Because the Nets want to secure a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and MPJ is basically winning too many games by himself.
It’s a weird spot to be in. You play the best basketball of your life, and your reward is potentially getting packed off to a contender who needs a floor spacer.
Evolution of the Playstyle
What’s most surprising isn't the scoring. It’s the "everything else."
For most of his career, Porter’s assist numbers looked like a binary code—lots of zeros and ones. This season, he’s averaging 3.4 assists. That might not sound like Magic Johnson numbers, but for Mike, it’s a revelation. He’s actually reading the second level of the defense.
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- Playmaking: He’s finding the roll man more consistently.
- Defense: While he's never going to be Kawhi Leonard, his 1.1 steals per game show a level of engagement we didn't always see in the past.
- Rebounding: He remains one of the best rebounding small forwards in the league, specifically on the defensive glass.
He's becoming a "complete" player, even if the turnovers (2.4 per game) are still a headache for the coaching staff.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Fantasy Owners
If you're following the Michael Porter Jr game log for fantasy reasons or just because you’re a fan, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next month:
- The Volume/Efficiency Balance: Watch his 3-point attempts. If he stays above 9 attempts per game while hovering at 40%, his trade value will stay through the roof.
- The "Sell High" Window: If you're in a fantasy league, now might be the time to move him. If he gets traded back to a contender, his shots will drop, and he'll go back to being a 16-18 PPG guy.
- Back Management: The Nets have a few back-to-backs coming up. Check the injury report for "Load Management" or "Rest." They are protecting their asset.
- Turnover Trends: If he can get those 5 and 6 turnover games down to 2 or 3, he officially enters the All-Star conversation, even in a loaded Eastern Conference.
Michael Porter Jr. has finally silenced the critics who said he was just a "system player." Whether he finishes the season in a Nets jersey or ends up back on a title contender, his 2026 game log has proven he belongs in the conversation of the league's elite scorers.
Check the box scores closely over the next two weeks. With the trade deadline approaching, every single game is basically an audition for the next chapter of his career.
Next Steps: You can track his real-time stats through the official NBA app or Basketball-Reference to see if his usage rate holds steady through the end of January.