The Portland Trail Blazers are preparing for a crucial showdown against the Denver Nuggets, hoping to bounce back from a tough loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Portland has been on a strong run lately,

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said the team will not be trading Michael Porter Jr. this week. With the NBA’s annual trade deadline set at 1 p.m. MT Thursday, Malone was asked whether he had touched base recently with Porter, who is Denver’s premier trade candidate.

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been floated in trade rumors prior to Thursday's deadline, but his head coach made it clear that he won't