After a 125-113 victory, the Denver Nuggets staved off elimination against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon, who missed Game 5 with a calf injury sustained earlier in the series, still could loom large as a potential factor in the outcome.
An NBA insider provided an update on the veteran’s status for the next game.
Will Aaron Gordon Play in Game 6 Against Minnesota?
With lingering calf issues, Gordon could not find his footing, metaphorically or literally, in his three appearances in the series. He averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 40% from the field.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, while a guest on ESPN, said Gordon is likely to miss Game 6.
“It’s a pretty bad calf strain that Aaron Gordon is dealing with. The Nuggets sat him out of Game 5. I’m told they are preparing to be without him for Game 6. And a lot of it is protecting him from himself. I think (the Nuggets) preparation is for him to be out,” Charania said.
On top of that, Gordon’s 29.7 minutes per game are the lowest of his 69-game playoff career. Meanwhile, his Minnesota counterpart, Julius Randle, thrived, averaging 19.4 points and 8.0 rebounds.
Throughout the regular season, Gordon battled lower-leg injuries. He started only 33 games, missing significant time with hamstring injuries.
His absence in the playoffs, notably in Game 5 due to a recent calf strain, has teams focusing even more on star center Nikola Jokić. To his credit, Jokić rose to the occasion, averaging a triple-double during the regular season.
Part of what led the Nuggets to the series deficit lies in their offense. In two games, the team averaged 96 points per game. Minnesota controlled the paint as Gordon continued to struggle.
Facing a team with diverse scoring options like Minnesota forces the Nuggets to rely on much more than just Jokić. However, the injury bug also struck the Timberwolves.
Star guard Anthony Edwards suffered a knee injury that could keep him benched for the next few games, potentially hindering him through the remainder of the playoffs.
Donte DiVincenzo ruptured his Achilles tendon, taking away a perimeter threat that allows Edwards and Randle to attack the paint.
When healthy, Gordon provides the Nuggets with a stretch-four capable of hitting 3-point shots as well as finishing strong at the rim.
Without that, the defense can collapse on Jokic, pretty much forcing Denver to win with outside shots from their guards.
