Aaron Gordon can start gearing up for the playoffs after avoiding injury on a scary fall.
With Denver trying to repeat, the biggest part of Gordon’s postseason preparations is increased intensity on the defensive end, something that would’ve been a challenge with an uncooperative hip.
“That’s the main thing that I think about,” the Nuggets’ starting power forward said after Tuesday’s 110-105 win over the Spurs. “I think about ball pressure. You know, I try not to give anybody any space defensively.”
After grabbing a defensive rebound early in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s win over San Antonio, Michael Porter Jr. advanced the ball to midcourt and lobbed a pass to Gordon, who had a mismatch with 6-foot-1 Spurs guard Devonte’ Graham. The only problem was Sidy Cissoko, San Antonio’s 6-foot-6 reserve, came over to help Graham and collided with Gordon at the peak of his jump. Cissoko’s momentum knocked Gordon off balance, and he crashed to the court landing hard on his right hip. Justin Holiday and the rest of Ball Arena winced as Gordon hit the ground, but he was able to stay in the game.
“Adrenaline,” Gordon explained. “I’m going to feel that one tomorrow morning, I’ll tell you that much. You can ask me again at 8 a.m. tomorrow. It’s going to be a different answer.”
Though the hip is likely added to the list of bumps and bruises most players deal with this time of season, it didn’t appear on Denver’s injury report ahead of Thursday’s game against the Clippers. Gordon is listed as probable due to right foot soreness, something he’s managed at different points of the season.
After a brief break to collect himself, Gordon went back to serving as Denver’s back-up center in the second half. That meant a matchup with San Antonio’s 7-foot-4, rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama, who flirted with a quadruple double but needed 29 shots to score 23 points.
“We all know that Aaron’s a tough dude. That’s his job for us,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
“He’s got to go out there in key possessions and guard a guy like Wembanyama and lock him up and use his physicality and his length and his toughness. … Aaron’s a warrior, man.”
Gordon’s grit was instrumental in Denver’s first championship, and the Nuggets will rely on his toughness and defensive versatility again this year. Last postseason, Gordon started at power forward and served as back-up center in the most meaningful playoff games. A similar role awaits when Denver starts its title defense later this month.
“He’s a really big part of our culture, our identity,” Nikola Jokic said after his 42-point game, while Gordon scored 23 points on 12 shots.
“Tonight, he scored a lot, but I always talk to him, like, ‘Some nights you’re going to score eight and some nights you’re going to score 25 or whatever.’ I think he understands that, and that’s the best thing about him.”
With six games left in Denver’s regular season, Gordon said the level of fatigue is similar to this point last season. He believes the Nuggets are in a good spot, even if his hip felt differently Wednesday morning.
“We’re back engaged. We’re back on the right mindset, a positive mindset, an energetic, enthusiastic mindset,” Gordon said. “I think we’re in a good place right now.”
Nuggets vs. Clippers Injury Report
Denver
Nikola Jokic – probable (left hip/right wrist inflammation)
Aaron Gordon – probable (right foot strain)
Jamal Murray – questionable (right knee inflammation)
Zeke Nnaji – doubtful (right adductor tendinosis)
Los Angeles
Kawhi Leonard – out (right knee soreness)
Joshua Primo – out (left ankle sprain)