Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Prioritizing health in 2026-27
Rotowire
Gordon is focused more on his health in an effort to avoid soft-tissue injuries after two injury-riddled seasons, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.
"I need to be here much earlier and stay much later," Gordon said. "And I need to invest a lot more time warming up and a lot more time cooling down so I can be available for these guys." After appearing in just 51 regular-season games (42 starts) in the 2024-25 season, the veteran forward played in just 36 outings (33 starts) last regular season. Gordon missed 38 of Denver's 48 games from Nov. 22 to March 5 due to a right hamstring strain, and he also missed time in the team's first-round series loss to Minnesota with a calf injury. However, the 31-year-old is ready to go ahead of the 2026-27 season and seemingly has made his health more of a priority.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Says he's ready to go
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Gordon (calf) said he got his mind and body right during the offseason, and he's "ready to go" for the 2026-27 season, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports.
Gordon labored through a left calf issue during Denver's postseason run last spring, missing three of the Nuggets' final four games in their first-round loss to the Timberwolves. However, he's had plenty of time to recover, and it appears he'll enter training camp at 100 percent. Gordon averaged 27.9 minutes per game last season over 36 regular-season contests, but his playing time could dip this upcoming season due to the arrival of DeMar DeRozan.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Set for big role again
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Gordon (calf) could see more usage for Denver in 2026-27 after Peyton Watson was shipped to Cleveland.
Much like teammates Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson, Gordon experienced an injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign but maintained strong productivity when healthy. Gordon averaged 16.2 points, his most since his time with Orlando, 5.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 three-pointers in 27.9 minutes per game over 36 regular-season appearances, and Watson's departure presents one less obstacle for usage.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Out for Game 6
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Gordon (calf) is out for Thursday's Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Timberwolves, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.
Gordon attempted to warm up ahead of Thursday's clash, but he's not feeling healthy enough to give it a go. Spencer Jones stepped into the starting lineup in Gordon's place in Game 5 and should be considered the favorite to start again in Game 6.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Iffy for Game 6
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Gordon (calf) is listed as questionable for Thursday's Game 6 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Timberwolves.
Gordon missed Games 3 and 5 due to left calf tightness and may remain out for Thursday's win-or-go-home matchup. The veteran forward logged only 23 minutes in Game 4, so even if he's cleared to suit up Thursday, he could operate under a minutes restriction.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Unavailable for Game 5
Rotowire
Gordon (calf) has been ruled out for Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Timberwolves on Monday.
Gordon struggled at times during Game 4 due to his calf injury, and he simply isn't feeling healthy enough to give it a go Monday night. Spencer Jones drew the start in Gordon's place in Game 3 and will be a candidate to do so again Monday.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Will be game-time call
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Gordon (calf) is being considered a true game-time decision ahead of Monday's Game 5 against Minnesota, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Gordon managed to return for Saturday's Game 4 and put up nine points in 23 minutes throughout the contest, but it's clear he's not yet over the calf injury. He'll test the calf in pre-game warmups before the Nuggets provide another update on his status for Game 5.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Iffy for Monday
Rotowire
Gordon is questionable for Monday's Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Timberwolves due to left calf tightness.
Gordon has been dealing with the left calf issue for some time, and he even exited Game 4 briefly due to the issue. If he is unable to go Monday, Tim Hardaway and Spencer Jones could see expanded roles.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Modest output after brief exit
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Gordon closed Saturday's 112-96 loss to Minnesota in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with nine points (4-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt), one rebound and one block in 23 minutes.
Gordon briefly headed to the locker room with a calf injury but made it back to the bench before the end of the contest. It seemed obvious that Gordon was struggling during a few possessions, and he may not be ready for Monday's elimination game against the Timberwolves. More news should emerge after Monday morning.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Will return to Game 4
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Gordon (calf) will return to Saturday's Game 4 in Minnesota, Duvalier Johnson of TheDNVR.com reports.
Gordon briefly exited Saturday's game, but after getting checked on in the locker room, he's been cleared to return. Gordon doesn't appear to be 100 percent healthy, but he's good enough to play.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Headed to locker room
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Gordon went back to the locker room during the third quarter of Saturday's Game 4 versus the Timberwolves with an undisclosed injury, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.
It's unclear exactly what Gordon is dealing with, but he was playing through a left calf issue, so he may have had a flare-up. We should get more info soon, but if Gordon needs to miss time, that would open up minutes for Tim Hardaway and Spencer Jones.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Will play in Game 4
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Gordon (calf) will play in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Timberwolves on Saturday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Gordon will shed his questionable tag and return to action after missing Thursday's Game 3 loss due to left calf tightness. The veteran forward has averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 33.0 minutes per contest over two first-round appearances.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Questionable for Game 4
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Gordon (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 4 against the Timberwolves.
Gordon is in danger of missing a second straight game due to left calf tightness. If the veteran forward is not cleared to play, Spencer Jones, Tim Hardaway and Zeke Nnaji would be candidates for increased playing time.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Won't play in Game 3
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Gordon (calf) has been ruled out for Game 3 against the Timberwolves on Thursday, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Gordon was originally added to the injury report as probable after dealing with some calf tightness following Game 2, but he was downgraded to questionable earlier in the day Thursday and has now been ruled out. Look for Spencer Jones and Tim Hardaway to see more run in the frontcourt in Gordon's absence.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Downgraded to questionable
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Gordon (calf) is questionable for Game 3 on Thursday against Minnesota.
The Nuggets originally deemed Gordon probable due to left calf tightness, so it's unclear if he suffered a setback during morning shootaround Thursday. If the veteran forward is ultimately downgraded to out, Bruce Brown could find himself being more involved in Game 3.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Likely to play in Game 3
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Gordon (calf) is listed as probable for Thursday's Game 3 against the Timberwolves.
Gordon is dealing with left calf tightness but is still likely to suit up for Game 3 in Minnesota. Through two first-round games, the veteran forward has averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 33.0 minutes per contest.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Scores 17 points with eight boards
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Gordon posted 17 points (5-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), eight rebounds and three assists over 29 minutes during Saturday's 116-105 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Gordon did an excellent job of containing Julius Randle, holding Minnesota's star power forward to just 16 points on 7-for-16 shooting. Gordon was shoved by Randle late in the match and landed hard on his rear, but despite some grimacing, he played through it and finished the game. Gordon should be fine for Game 2 on Monday.
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Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Coming off bench for Game 1
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Strawther is not in Denver's starting lineup against Minnesota for Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs Saturday.
Strawther started in each of the Nuggets' final two games of the regular season and averaged 23.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 4.0 threes and 1.5 steals over 34.0 minutes. He'll come off the bench for Saturday's game while the Nuggets roll with a starting five of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Not listed on injury report
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Gordon (hamstring) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Timberwolves.
Gordon missed Denver's last two regular-season games due to right hamstring injury management, but he's good to go for the start of the playoffs. The veteran forward appeared in four regular-season outings in April, during which he averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 30.5 minutes per tilt.
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Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Won't go in regular-season finale
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Gordon (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Spurs.
Gordon will miss a second straight game due to right hamstring injury management, though he should be good to go for the start of the postseason. He'll finish the 2025-26 regular season with averages of 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 27.9 minutes per game in 36 appearances (33 starts). David Roddy and Julian Strawther will likely see increased playing time in Gordon's absence Sunday.
