May 17: Gordon will officially be listed as questionable for Game 7, Nuggets sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic. The 29-year-old forward will continue to receive treatment leading up to the game in an effort to suit up, Jones adds.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman told reporters on Saturday that Gordon participated in the team’s walk-through and is expected to be a game-time decision on Sunday, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post (Twitter link).
“He fully was part of it,” Adelman said. “The game plan. Both sides of the ball. So if Aaron can play, he will play.”
May 16: Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania. This leaves his availability for Sunday’s Game 7 against the Thunder up in the air.
Gordon has been a crucial piece of the Nuggets’ playoff run, hitting clutch shots in multiple games and playing excellent, versatile defense throughout the postseason. In this series, he is averaging 14.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from three.
With Michael Porter Jr. already struggling with a shoulder injury and Jamal Murray needing an IV to replenish his fluids going into Game 6, the Nuggets have dealt with plenty of health-related adversity throughout this series, but if Gordon is unable to suit up, it will be their biggest challenge yet.
Julian Strawther had a big Game 6 for Denver but is undersized to step into a forward role. Peyton Watson has struggled to contribute offensively, but his length and athleticism has provided some good moments on defense. If Gordon is limited, Watson may be called upon to step into a bigger role.
Yikes
Eh….just gives the nuggs fans something to blame when they lose game 7.
“We woulda won had Gordon not been hurt”
These darn hammy strains! You might have to take it easy, fellow San Jose native. Still hoping for Nuggets-Wolves, which would be the third consecutive installment – first time, The Joker got the RAID out on Ant (en route to a ROUSING title clinching); second time Ant and company shockingly slayed the Serbian giant and his army, thereby infuriating The Joker’s big a*s, revenge-seeking brothers. Curious to know: has it ever happened, since there were close to or as many teams in the league, where two conference semifinals matchups one year evolved into the two conference finals – and the final four teams remaining – the following year?
Can someone please check on that for me, especially if Nuggets get out to a good-sized lead on Sunday? Maybe post back here with your findings. Thanks ahead of time.
Please carry the team for just one more game Joker.
Whelp
If Gordon doesn’t play that will mean this year the 4 previous champs all lost in the playoffs with injuries to 1 of their top 2 players. Just shows being injury free is one of the ways to be a champ.
Either the Warriors were lying about the severity of Steph’s hamstring (very typical) or they made an idiotic choice to hold him in a win or go home game. Glad to see the Nuggets aren’t as stupid as the Warriors.
Gordon is not going to play.If he does it will be very a short time because you can’t move very good on a hammy.
Gordon will play, its a win or go home game. If he tears it more its a 2 month recovery – offseason. I know from experience.
Yeah that’s why Curry sat ….
Hamstring injuries are nothing to mess with. It can put you out for months. Don’t know the gravity of it. I’m sure they will do right by him. Don’t see them winning without him. That suxxxx.
If only Porter would play like the contract he signed says he should……. Injuries this year man.
DEN and Gordon can only decide whether or not he’ll take the court. If the hamstring injury is anything beyond soreness, it’s not something he’ll be able to play through, regardless of his pain tolerance.
Today Shams said it’s a grade 2. He certainly shouldn’t play.