The 2024 NBA playoffs have been one of the most competitive postseasons in recent NBA history. The top two seeds have been eliminated in the Eastern Conference, as has the No. 2 seed in the West. However, the No. 1 seed still remains in the hunt as the Oklahoma City Thunder get set for a Game 7 at home against the Denver Nuggets.
Even though the Nuggets won Game 6, they didn’t come away unscathed. Aaron Gordon, who has been their second-best player at times in these playoffs, got injured. Let’s examine the latest on Gordon’s health and whether he’ll suit up in Game 7.
Will Aaron Gordon Play in Game 7?
With 1:50 left in the fourth quarter of a relatively tight Game 6, Gordon crossed half court with the ball in his hands. Chet Holmgren tried to rip the ball out of his hands, with Alex Caruso trailing close behind.
As Caruso landed on the floor trying to scramble for the ball, the superstar dunker was able to maintain possession. However, he immediately came up hopping, grabbing at his left hamstring.
Initially, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Gordon would miss Game 7 and potentially the rest of the postseason with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. However, this ended up being inaccurate.
Charania noted that Gordon “has been searching for ways to play in today’s Game 7 against Oklahoma City, but it is becoming physically improbable to do so.”
Shortly after, Charania doubled down on his report on “SportsCenter,” noting that Gordon is “expected to need one month to recover” from the Grade 2 left hamstring strain and that his postseason was likely over even if the Nuggets advanced past the Thunder.
Reporting for @SportsCenter on Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon expected to need one month to recover from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain: pic.twitter.com/moB2OETJEY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Charania ended up being wrong, as the Nuggets announced that Gordon is available to play in today’s Game 7 vs. OKC.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman told reporters pregame that the forward is trying to play, and now Gordon is officially active for this contest.
“He’s trying to play. Obviously, he is injured,” Adelman said before the game. “We will get to game time and make the proper decision for him and the team.”
Coach Adelman said Aaron Gordon is going through an evaluation process right now.
“He’s trying to play. Obviously he is injured.”
Said it’ll be collective decision between Gordon, medical staff, coach.
“We will get to game time & make the proper decision for him & the team.”
— Katy Winge (@katywinge)
It’s unclear how much Gordon will play or how effective he will be in this contest. It sounds like he may be quite limited given the significant hamstring strain he’s playing through. Still, having him available is huge for the Nuggets.
Ever since Gordon joined the team in 2020, the former Orlando Magic star has been a vital piece of their puzzle. As their point-of-attack defender against virtually every opponent, Gordon’s work on the defensive side of the ball was critical to the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA championship.
This season, he put on another hat for the team. A career 33.1% shooter from deep, he improved his 3-point shooting to 43.6% this year.
That jump has carried over to the postseason as well, where he’s been the most consistent player on Denver’s roster outside of Nikola Jokić. During these playoffs, Gordon is averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 threes, while shooting 48.5% from the field and 38.2% from deep through 13 games.
With two game-winners already under his belt, he’s tied with Tyrese Haliburton and LeBron James as the only three players to achieve that feat over the last decade. Combining his elite defense with a noticeable offensive bump has been a crucial piece for the Nuggets, forcing back-to-back Game 7s, this time against the 68-win Thunder.
Gordon makes his presence felt on both ends of the court, and his absence would’ve been a huge blow for Denver in Game 7. Now, all eyes will be on Gordon to see how effective he can be as he toughs out this significant hamstring injury.
