The Nuggets were no strangers to the injury bug this season. It bit about everyone, some even twice or more. Aaron Gordon falls into the latter category, unfortunately, and he's been bitten once again. Gordon had been listed as probable on the Nuggets' injury report before their Game 3 matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he has since been downgraded to questionable with just hours to go before tip-off due to left calf tightness.
It would be a big blow to the Nuggets if Gordon were to miss the game. He's a defensive stopper, a three-point threat, and a momentum swinger. Mr. Nuggets' dunks helped shift the momentum in Game 1, and he hit a three during a pivotal stretch that swung the game in Denver's direction. He's the vibe guy, and when Gordon is going, the Nuggets are tough to beat.
The problem this season is that Gordon hasn't been on the court much. Gordon played in just 36 games for the Nuggets, suffering through bouts of hamstring injuries before having the calf tightness pop up towards the last few games of the year.
To make matters even worse, Peyton Watson remains out for the third game of the series. If Gordon sits, that's basically the Nuggets' two best defenders, post and perimeter, out of the game.
The Nuggets need Gordon on the floor
Gordon has been playing less and less for the Nuggets each season, due to what is now becoming a concerning problem staying on the court. Gordon played in just 51 games last year, and the Nuggets are a fantastic 60-27 over the 87 games Gordon played in the regular season the last two years.
AG just produces wins. He single-handedly got the stops the Nuggets needed on Victor Wembanyama in their thrilling overtime defeat of the Spurs late in the regular season. He was a brick wall that Wemby couldn't get around when it mattered most, and he contested each shot that clanked off the iron.
And when we say Gordon brings the vibes, we mean it. After that victory, Gordon said, "I curate the vibes, man. I bring the vibes." He certainly does. When he's dunking and hitting threes and getting those tough stops, it fires the Nuggets up. It's infectious. Mr. Nugget about blew the roof off Ball Arena in Game 1 with those dunks. That kind of energy can't be replaced.
And neither can Gordon's talent. The Nuggets have to find a way to keep Gordon healthy moving forward. Injuries can't be avoided, but Gordon seems to be having more bad luck than anyone else. It's Game 3 of round one, and we're already having this discussion. But it's a long playoff road ahead, and hopefully, Gordon is healthy enough to navigate it with the Nuggets.