After the Toronto Raptors And Denver Nuggets Face to face on Monday, two brothers shared a special moment.
Michael Porter Jr.. And Jontay Porter faced each other for the second time in the NBA and exchanged jerseys after the game.
Their first match was in 2021, when Jontay played for Memphis Grizzlies. Although Jontay only played four minutes in the 2021 game, he had a higher-scoring game this time around, finishing with a career-high 14 points and five assists. Michael had 19 points and eight rebounds in the Denver game 125-119 earn.
The Porters have an extensive basketball family tree. Their father, Michael Porter Sr., is director of player development at the University of Missouri. Their mother, Lisa Becker, is a former Miss Iowa Basketball award winner.
“Growing up, Jontay and I were best friends,” Porter Jr. said in the postgame press conference. “We were all homeschooled and my mom was like, ‘You guys are best friends. “Jontay and I did everything together.”
Michael, 25, is a year older than Jontay, 24, but said he is behind the times.
“He had a beard before me, so everyone thought he was the older brother,” Michael said. “Growing up, we always played on the same AAU teams, we did our subjects at home, being homeschooled, then played 1v1, played [pickup]it doesn’t matter what it is.”
“Growing up, Jontay and I were best friends”
MPJ on his relationship with his brother after tonight’s clash ???? pic.twitter.com/HOBA8ToqGt
-NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2024
When the Porter brothers committed to Missouri Tigers, Jontay reclassified to play with his brother. Michael missed most of his freshman season in 2017-18 due to back issues and required surgery.
“He could have [gone] in the draft after that year I went down and he really shined, but he decided to come back to Mizzou and play that second year, thinking it might be a lottery [pick]”Michael said.
However, like Michael, Jontay suffered numerous injuries throughout his college career and tore an ACL.
After bouncing around to several G League teams and briefly playing for the Grizzlies in 2020-21, Jontay signed a two-way agreement with the Raptors in December 2023.
“It’s no surprise to see him there,” Michael said. “I’m very, very happy for him.”
The Porter brothers swap jerseys after fighting tonight ???? pic.twitter.com/pEwJVioBfJ
-NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2024
