Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. trade blocks on one another

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. swatted Kyle Kuzma’s layup attempt on Thursday, but the Los Angeles Lakers forward made sure to exact his revenge in the ensuing possession.

With under five minutes left in the third period of the Nuggets-Lakers showdown at Staples Center, MPJ blocked Kuz’s easy deuce off the glass, which ignited a fast break for the visitors.

The second-year Nuggets forward raced down court and tried to turn his magnificent defensive stop into a scoring opportunity. He got the ball back from teammate Jamal Murray and settled for a triple in transition. But Kuzma did not give up on the play for the Lakers. He came from behind to deny Porter’s long-range heave.

Here’s the amazing block sequence exchanged by the two young forwards in Nuggets-Lakers.

After missing what should have been his rookie year in 2018 due to back issues, Michael Porter Jr. has become a promising two-way threat for Denver upon his return. Prior to Thursday’s road game versus the defending champion Lakers, the 22-year-old forward has been notching 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 10 games.

Kyle Kuzma, on the other hand, has been lauded for his much-improved defense for the Lakers this season. The Purple and Gold gifted the Flint, Michigan-native with a three-year, $40 million extension in the offseason, and he is living up to his end of the deal so far.

Kuz is averaging 9.9 points and 5.7 rebounds off the bench for the Lakers in 22 games.

Kuzma’s Lakers and Porter’s Nuggets are in the top four of the Western Conference. However, the Lake Show’s win over Denver on Thursday night puts Los Angeles just half a game behind the first-place Utah Jazz in the West. Denver slid to 12-9, tied with the Portland Trail Blazers for fourth and four full games behind the Lakers in the standings. A measure of separation is beginning to emerge.