Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is listed as questionable for the pivotal Game 7 clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. This follows a left hamstring strain he sustained late in Game 6. According to ESPN reports, the injury is a Grade 2 strain, making his participation in Sunday night`s decisive game improbable. For context, Warriors star Stephen Curry previously missed four games in the second round with a less severe Grade 1 hamstring strain.
Interim coach David Adelman addressed Gordon`s status on Saturday, stating, “He just went through the walkthrough. Game-time decision, obviously. But he fully was part of it, the game plan on both sides of the ball. If Aaron can play, he will play.”
Adelman noted that Gordon “looked normal” during the walkthrough and that his motions were “good,” expressing hope that he will be able to play. However, the team is preparing for the possibility that he won`t be available. Adelman explained, “We walked through a lot of stuff today with different people having [his] responsibilities. But, like I said, the hope is the responsibilities will be Aaron’s.”
The significance of Gordon to the Nuggets` playoff success cannot be overstated. His clutch plays have been vital, including a last-second dunk to win Game 4 against the Clippers, a game-winning three-pointer in the series opener against the Thunder, and a crucial three that sent Game 3 into overtime. The team lacks another player who can replicate his impact on both offense and defense.
Looking at the betting lines, the Nuggets are positioned as an eight-point road underdog for this second Game 7 appearance in these playoffs.
If Gordon is deemed fit to play on Sunday, he is expected to start, Adelman confirmed. Should he be unavailable, wings Christian Braun and Peyton Watson will need to step up, particularly in initiating offensive actions when Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are off-ball.
Adelman commented on the challenge, “Aaron is a special player when he initiates, but I think our guys have had repetition. And sometimes, this is what life is. Opportunity comes sometimes when you don`t want it to come. And if he can`t go, we have trust in those guys they get us into actions we need to get into.”
Having more than one day between Game 6 and Game 7 was seen as beneficial, offering Gordon a bit more recovery time and allowing the entire team extra preparation for the upcoming challenge.
“We need it,” Adelman stated, emphasizing the opponent. “We`re playing a historical team in a Game 7. A team — 68 wins, the greatest point differential ever, all of the things they`ve accomplished — I guess at this point they`ve won 75 games this year. So we need the rest to play a team this historically good.”
The Denver team isn`t known for its deep roster, and their margin for error in this series is slim. If Aaron Gordon is unable to play, or if his injury limits his effectiveness, the Nuggets will face a significant uphill battle in Game 7.
Jasper Hawthorne