David Adelman, Denver Nuggets
Getty
Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman faces the grim reality of Aaron Gordon's absence in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Denver Nuggets were dealt a major blow ahead of their win-or-go-home Game 7 on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, starting forward Aaron Gordon will not be available to play.
“Denver’s Aaron Gordon has a Grade 2 hamstring strain and needs several weeks to recover from the injury, sources tell ESPN. The Nuggets’ playoff star has been searching for ways to play in today’s Game 7 against Oklahoma City, but it is becoming physically improbable to do so,” Charania wrote on X on Sunday.
Aaron Gordon, Nuggets
Getty Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets is out for Game 7 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
Gordon is averaging 14.5 points on 45.2% 3-point shooting, 9.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists against the Thunder in the series. The 6-foot-8 forward has been Denver’s best clutch player in this postseason run.
Gordon hit the game-winning 3-pointer in a crucial Denver win in Game 1, his second-game winner in this Nuggets’ postseason run. He also had a game-winning dunk in Game 4 in the previous round against the Los Angeles Clippers. He also hit the game-tying 3-pointer in Game 3 against the Thunder that sent the game into overtime where the Nuggets won to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Nuggets would’ve been on vacation earlier if not for Gordon’s playoff heroics. Now, they are staring at the prospect of going home early without their clutch forward.
Gordon sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of their 119-107 win in Game 6 that kept them alive in the series. He had five points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his final game for the Nuggets this season.
Nuggets interim coach David Adelman told reporters that Gordon participated in their walkthrough, which showed the forward’s commitment and desire to play in Game 7.
“If Aaron can play, he will play,” Adelman told reporters in Denver.
But he can’t, putting the Nuggets’ playoff run in peril.