The Denver Nuggets could be without Aaron Gordon for their do-or-die Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Sunday. Gordon exited the Nuggets’ 119-107 Game 6 win late with an injury, and NBA insider Shams Charania reports he has suffered a hamstring strain.
“Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and his status is in doubt for Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell ESPN. Major development heading into Sunday’s 3:30 pm ET game on ABC for a Western Conference Finals berth.”
The severity of this strain is unknown at this point, but it appears unlikely that Gordon will play in Game 7. He had given a reassuring update after Game 6, but Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT, stated on X that even a Grade 1 strain would keep a player out for a week or two.
We saw Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry suffer a Grade 1 hamstring strain in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the other Western Conference Semifinals. The earliest Curry was reportedly expected to return was in Game 6.
The Athletic’s Tony Jones reports that Gordon, who had played just 51 games in the regular season largely due to calf injuries, will officially be listed as questionable for Game 7. He might try to play in the game, but he’s going to be compromised even if he does manage to stay on the court for an extended period of time.
This injury is a massive blow to the Nuggets. Gordon has been immense during these playoffs, averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. The 29-year-old has delivered in the big moments, too, with game-winners in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Clippers and Game 1 against the Thunder.
Gordon has put up 14.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game against the Thunder while shooting 45.2% from beyond the arc. He has been the Nuggets’ most effective long-range shooter in this series.
Losing a player like Gordon for Game 7 or him being compromised due to an injury would be crushing for any team, but especially for these Nuggets. They do not have much depth as it is, and Michael Porter Jr. is already playing through a sprained left AC joint.
Julian Strawther stepped up in Game 6 with 15 points (4-8 FG), and the Nuggets will need contributions from him and others off the bench if they are to knock out the Thunder.
