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Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon injury situation could raise concerns after coach’s comments
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- Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon injury situation could raise concerns after coach’s comments
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The Denver Nuggets are on the brink of what would be a disastrous playoff exit in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets were able to win Game 5 in front of their home crowd to force a Game 6 and cut the series deficit to just 3-2.
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Both teams in this series have been seriously affected by injuries to their starting lineups. The Timberwolves’ injuries have gotten most of the attention, and rightfully so, given that both Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo are out of the lineup for the rest of the series and then some. On the other side, Peyton Watson has not suited up in this series for the Nuggets, and Aaron Gordon missed Game 5 with a lingering calf injury.
Now, all eyes are on Gordon to see whether he will be able to return for the pivotal Game 6 on Thursday night after sitting most of the second half of Game 4 and the entirety of Game 5. On Wednesday, head coach David Adelman gave a lengthy answer on Gordon’s availability and what the Nuggets need to see to clear him to play, via Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.
“I thought Aaron in the first half (of Game 4) was very different from Aaron in the second half,” Adelman said. “And know in both halves, he wasn’t moving great. So I’m not saying he looked great the first half. But I thought his mobility, the way he guarded Randle in the post, we need that. I thought in the second half, you could see the wear and tear. Not to mention, for me, one of the hardest parts of a guy like that with a soft tissue thing is you’ve gotta get him back on the court quicker (after he subs out). And I think when you get to halftime, you sit there for 20 minutes, that doesn’t help anybody.
“So I’m not a doctor. I’m not a trainer. But obviously, you guys could see it. I could see it. There is a point where it’s not good for him; it’s not good for the team. And everybody knows Aaron that wants to play. The guy’s the ultimate teammate. He’s been so good for us over the years. But we have to do what’s right for him and the team.”
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Gordon is a critical part of this Nuggets team, but he has been battling soft tissue injuries for the greater part of the last two years. That has popped up once again in this series, and it could cost the Nuggets a shot at a championship if he doesn’t get back out on the court healthy very soon.
Related: Was Game 5 a ‘turning point’ for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves? David Adelman weighs in
Related: Rudy Gobert reveals what Anthony Edwards injury means for him in Nuggets series
