Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, Nuggets
Getty
Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets watch from the bench.
The Denver Nuggets received a much-needed dose of optimism Tuesday as head coach David Adelman offered a positive update on forward Aaron Gordon, whose absence has loomed large during Denver’s injury-riddled stretch.
Speaking after practice, Adelman confirmed Gordon was back moving at game speed and participating in situational work — a meaningful step forward as the Nuggets push toward the postseason.
“He got up and down (the court). We did some situational defensive drills. He was a part of that,” Adelman said, via the Denver Post’s Bennett Durando. “But it’s just gonna be a day-by-day thing. … Aaron’s been great. He’s understood the process.”
Nuggets Key Players Could Return Sooner Than Expected
Adelman stopped short of setting a firm return date but hinted that both Gordon and Peyton Watson could be back earlier than anticipated.
“My hope is that we get the full group back with 20 games to go,” Adelman said.
That timeline matters. Denver has 24 games remaining, beginning with Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics, meaning the Nuggets could regain critical rotation pieces before the playoff push intensifies.
Gordon has not played since January 23, when he aggravated a right hamstring strain during Denver’s 102–100 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The setback came just weeks after he returned from a month-long absence caused by a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered Nov. 21 against Houston.
Durability a Growing Concern for Nuggets’ Ace Forward
The recurrence raised alarms given Gordon’s recent history. He also dealt with hamstring issues during last season’s postseason, making durability a lingering concern as Denver attempts to defend its championship core.
When healthy, Gordon remains one of the Nuggets’ most indispensable pieces — a versatile defender, interior finisher, and emotional tone-setter alongside Nikola Jokić.
Watson’s return could be just as impactful.
Peyton Watson’s Injury Halted Breakout Stretch
Watson has been sidelined since February 4 after suffering a left hamstring strain during a grueling 134–127 double-overtime loss to the New York Knicks.
The timing was brutal. Since the calendar flipped to January, the 22-year-old had been playing the best basketball of his career.
Over that stretch, Watson averaged 21.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks, providing two-way production that stabilized a lineup battered by injuries. His emergence gave Denver a rare infusion of athleticism and perimeter defense.
Jokić Battling Wrist Injury as Stakes Rise
Compounding Denver’s concerns is a new injury issue surrounding Jokić.
According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, the reigning Finals MVP has been dealing with a wrist/hand injury since the Nuggets’ Feb. 19 game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Certainly not quite himself, but if he misses a couple more games, he’s not going to be available for awards,” Spears said on NBA Today on Monday. “They’ve got other injuries like Aaron Gordon, who they hope to have back this weekend.”
The injury adds pressure to an already delicate situation. Jokić cannot miss another game if he hopes to remain eligible for end-of-season awards.
Even a Historic Night Wasn’t Enough
Jokić’s resilience has been on full display.
Sunday, he delivered a staggering 35-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double, yet Denver still fell 128–117 to a severely shorthanded Golden State Warriors team missing Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porziņģis.
This season has tested Jokić’s durability more than any in recent memory. After playing the first 32 games, he missed time with a knee injury that initially appeared far worse than the final diagnosis. Since returning Jan. 30, he has not missed another game.
“I think he’s also putting pressure on himself to be in a Nuggets uniform, keep them afloat,” Spears said. “I think he’s going to fight through this injury and keep playing.”
In 42 games, Jokić is averaging 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists, shooting 58 percent from the field and 42 percent from three — MVP-level numbers under increasingly difficult circumstances.
Denver’s Margin for Error Shrinks
As the postseason approaches, Denver’s path forward hinges on health. The hopeful signs surrounding Gordon — and potentially Watson — offer a lifeline. But with Jokić playing through pain and the standings tightening, the Nuggets’ championship aspirations may ultimately depend on whether their core can finally get whole again — and stay that way.