Michael Porter Jr. takes subtle jab at Michael Malone / News - Basketnews.com

Michael Porter Jr. questioned Michael Malone's decision to bench him in the fourth quarter during the Nuggets-Nets game. He did not agree with the coach that he struggled: "I missed one shot, so I wouldn't say I struggled. I would just say I didn't play."

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

The Denver Nuggets lost their third straight game overall and second straight at home. Nikola Jokic-led team stumbled against the Brooklyn Nets 122-120 on Sunday.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Nicolas Claxton Points 20 Accuracy 8-9 Rebounds 6 Assists 5

A starter and one of the Nuggets' key players -- Michael Porter Jr. -- played fewer than 23 minutes. As Porter told Jena Garcia post-game, he didn't know why he had a limited role Sunday, especially in the most important part of the match.

"I'm still trying to figure that out myself. I'm not the coach, but I'm still trying to figure that one out myself," he said.

"He [coach Michael Malone] sat me the whole fourth and put me in with 20 seconds left, I think. So, I mean it's impossible to catch a rhythm then," Porter questioned his head coach's decision.

Michael Malone had his response in the post-game conference.

"He had a really good first half shooting the ball, but everybody in that third quarter played poorly," Malone said. "It wasn't just Michael Porter Jr. Everybody struggled when you get outscored 37-18. The group that was in there in the fourth played well. I rolled with that group."

"How did I struggle? I shot three times, and I didn't play," Porter reacted. "I didn't play in the fourth quarter, so I wouldn't say I struggled. I shot three shots. I made two of them. I missed one shot, so I wouldn't say I struggled. I would just say I didn't play."

Malone also added that he's looking for guys that can guard during the losing streak.

"The last 3 games our defense has been non-existent," Malone emphasized.

Despite the third consecutive loss, Denver stays at the top of the Western Conference standings with a 46-22 record.

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