The Denver Nuggets weren’t able to get it done on Sunday, losing 125-93 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals and ending their season.
The game featured several stars trying their hardest but facing the unstoppable force that is the Thunder.
During Game 7, Aaron Gordon posted eight points and 11 rebounds.
That was an impressive stat, especially considering the fact that Gordon was nursing an injury.
Following the loss, Nikola Jokic talked about Gordon and how he fought hard through the physical pain he was dealing with.
“I told [Aaron Gordon] to not play,” Jokic said, via NBA TV on X. “You can injure yourself even worse. You can see that he was struggling a little bit, but he’s a lion. He went out there and fought with us, and we can just appreciate it.”
"I told him to not play… [but] he went out there and fought with us and we can just appreciate it." 🗣️
Jokić shares gratitude for Aaron Gordon fighting through injury today. pic.twitter.com/UBWDipNCzs
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 18, 2025
Gordon has been dealing with a left hamstring injury, and he was very much in doubt leading up to the must-win Game 7.
In fact, he was a game-time decision for the Nuggets, and they announced his participation just 35 minutes before tipoff.
He ended up playing for 25 minutes.
Gordon has a Grade 2 strain, which usually takes weeks to recover from.
But Gordon and his team didn’t have that sort of time, and they didn’t have the luxury of giving him the night off.
They needed all of their players performing at the peak of their abilities, and Gordon was well aware of that.
That is why he suited up, even when he wasn’t at 100 percent.
Jokic told Gordon to sit out, but his request fell on deaf ears, because Gordon was committed to being part of the team’s game, no matter if it ended with a win or loss.
Gordon suffered the injury during Game 6, which means it is still fresh.
Now he has plenty of time to rest, relax, and get better during the summer break.
NEXT: Aaron Gordon Urges NBA To Change Grueling Playoff Schedule