Honestly, if you blinked during the final ten seconds of the Brooklyn Nets' matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, you missed the biggest moment of Michael Porter Jr.’s season so far. It wasn't just about the box score. It was about the timing.
Michael Porter Jr. points last game totaled 26, but the final two were the only ones people were talking about in the locker room afterward. After Brooklyn coughed up a massive 20-point fourth-quarter lead, MPJ drove to the cup and sank a go-ahead layup with just 5.4 seconds left on the clock.
That bucket gave Brooklyn a 112-109 victory and, more importantly, snapped a brutal five-game losing skid that was starting to get under everyone's skin.
Breaking Down the Performance
MPJ has been on an absolute tear lately. Even though the Nets have been struggling to find their identity since acquiring him from Denver back in June, Porter himself has looked like an All-Star. In the win over Chicago, he didn't just stand in the corner waiting for kick-outs.
He was aggressive.
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He finished with 26 points on a night where he had to carry a heavy load alongside Noah Clowney, who had a career night himself with 23 points and 11 boards. MPJ’s efficiency has been the story of his 2025-26 campaign. He’s currently averaging career highs across the board—roughly 25.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
It’s weird seeing him in a Nets jersey sometimes, isn't it? For years, we saw him as the third option behind Jokic and Murray. Now, in Brooklyn, he’s the guy. Teams are throwing double teams at him, and he’s still find ways to get his shot off.
Why the 26-Point Outing Matters
This wasn't just a "good stats, bad team" kind of night. The Bulls are a scrappy home-and-home opponent, and they nearly stole this one at the Barclays Center. When Tre Jones hit a layup to put Chicago up 109-108 with 11 seconds left, the air sucked right out of the building.
Coach Jordi Fernandez drew up a play specifically to get the ball into Porter’s hands near the basket. Usually, we expect MPJ to rise up for a jumper. Instead, he attacked. That layup showed a level of physical evolution we didn't always see during his time in Denver.
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The Trade Rumor Elephant in the Room
We can't talk about Michael Porter Jr. points last game without mentioning the Feb. 5 trade deadline. It’s right around the corner. Despite his elite scoring, the Nets are in a weird spot. Are they building around him, or are they showcasing him?
Reports from insiders like Brian Lewis of the New York Post and Evan Sidery at Forbes suggest that teams like the Warriors and Pistons are hovering. If you're a Nets fan, you're probably torn. You see a guy scoring 20-plus points in nine of his last ten games and you want to keep that. But his trade value has never been higher.
Over the last 12 games, Porter has been averaging 28.7 points. That is superstar territory. Whether he stays in Brooklyn or ends up on a contender, his ability to create space and knock down contested threes—he tied a career high with eight of them against Orlando just last week—makes him the most dangerous trade chip on the market.
What’s Next for MPJ?
The Nets don't get much time to celebrate. They have to head straight to Chicago for a rematch on Sunday. If the Bulls' defense adjustments are what I think they’ll be, Porter is going to see a lot more "box-and-one" looks or aggressive traps.
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If you’re tracking his stats for fantasy or just because you’re a fan, keep an eye on his assist numbers. He had six assists against the Clippers a few days ago, showing he’s learning to pass out of those traps.
Actionable Insights for the Rematch:
- Watch the early whistle: Porter has been getting to the line more frequently, which is keeping his floor high even when the threes aren't falling.
- Check the defensive matchups: If Chicago puts a smaller, quicker guard on him to deny the ball, look for him to post up more frequently like he did in the final seconds Friday.
- Monitor the trade news: Any "DNP - Rest" or "General Soreness" in the next two weeks is a major red flag that a deal is imminent.
The reality is that Michael Porter Jr. is playing the best basketball of his life right now. Whether it leads to a playoff push in Brooklyn or a blockbuster trade, he’s officially moved past being a "specialist" and into the conversation of elite NBA scorers.