The Denver Nuggets are in quite a conundrum with Aaron Gordon. The answer seems obvious, but it's not. They need Gordon now, but they really need Gordon later. But if they play him now, he may not be around to help later anyway. It sounds like something Yogi Berra would come up with, and it sort of is like that. His phrases were always a puzzle, and so is the latest iteration of the puzzle that has been AG for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets trail the Minnesota Timberwolves by 3-2 in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series. The Nuggets more or less had no issue with the Wolves in Game 5 without Gordon, as his replacement, Spencer Jones, stepped up and had 20 points on 4-5 shooting from beyond the arc. He even had a dunk in the third quarter that about took the roof off of Ball Arena when the crowd erupted. It was AG-esque.
What should the Nuggets do with Gordon for Game 6?
This is where the puzzle gets tougher. What do the Nuggets do with Gordon for Game 6 against the Timberwolves? Do they sit him again to rest him for Game 7? They need to win Game 6 to force a Game 7. They need to win both to get to the round where Gordon may be needed most. But he has to be healthy to be at his best. Is even healthy enough to play?
He was clearly not as explosive as we're used to seeing, and Gordon played less in Game 4, at just 23 minutes. His tight calf was apparent. He didn't have lift on his three-point attempts, and he didn't explosively dunk a ball he normally would have. Gordon did get up for a great block in transition, but that was the only sign of the normal Gordon we know and love as Nuggets fans.
The Nuggets will need Gordon in round two against the Spurs
The best choice is to probably sit Gordon. The Timberwolves are without Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards, their starting backcourt, for the remainder of the series. It was clear how much effect that had on the Wolves in Game 5. The Nuggets were able to space the floor better without the defensive pressure on the perimeter that DiVicenzo was exerting, and Nikola Jokic erupted for 16 assists. The Nuggets shouldn't need Gordon as much.
But they will absolutely need him if they're able to come back from the 3-1 hole to advance to round two. The San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama await them if they do.
Gordon showed in the Nuggets' regular-season matchup in Denver that he has what it takes to neutralize Wemby defensively, and it gives the Nuggets a key edge they'll need in that series.
But to get to that series, they must first win Game 6. Even if the Nuggets win, then what? And then, and then, and then what with Gordon's health? We all wish it weren't such a puzzle.
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