How did Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon play in Game 7 vs. Thunder?
Despite sustaining a left hamstring strain just three days ago, Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon started Sunday's Game 7 conference semifinal loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
And even though he was slowed by the injury, and even though the Nuggets slogged through the evening, Gordon provided a spark — particularly on the glass.
Gordon had been listed as questionable but participated in Sunday's pregame warmups. The Nuggets then upgraded his status to available and placed him in the starting lineup.
He finished with eight points on 2-of-4 shooting, but added 11 rebounds, four of which were offensive. It became clear in the opening minutes that Gordon would be slowed by the injury. He failed to hit full speed when moving up the floor and was relegated to jogging with a notable limp. Still, he played 24:30 and was active during his time on the floor.
The Nuggets lost, 125-93.
During warmups, Gordon didn't do any strenuous jumping or running. He sustained a left hamstring strain chasing a loose ball late in the Nuggets’ 119-107 Game 6 victory Thursday against the Thunder.
ESPN reported Sunday morning that Gordon has a Grade 2 hamstring strain and will need several weeks to recover.
Gordon was tabbed as "the soul of this team" by players such as Nikola Jokić and has played a crucial role in Denver's success throughout the postseason.
In many ways, it was remarkable not only that Gordon played, but that he played fairly well. Hamstring injuries can be complicated and usually require rest to fully heal, at the risk of reaggravation. Golden State star Stephen Curry, for example, just missed the final four games of the Warriors' series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a grade 1 hamstring strain.
Gordon had been a crucial piece of Denver's operation over the past several weeks. He hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of Game 1 that put the Nuggets ahead and proved to be the difference in a 121-119 victory against the Thunder.
Entering Sunday, Gordon had been averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds (3.5 offensive boards per game) and 2.9 assists and shooting 48.5% from the field, 38.2% on 3-pointers and 85.1% on free throws in the playoffs.
How did Aaron Gordon play in Game 7 vs. the Thunder?
In the first quarter, Gordon was notably hindered by the injury, limping up the floor when required to run. He nonetheless made an impact, particularly on the glass, collecting five rebounds in 7:47 minutes. He also scored three points on 1-of-2 shooting. When interim coach David Adelman sat Gordon for his first rest, the Nuggets were up by 11.
In the second quarter, although the Nuggets struggled and were outscored by 19 in the period, Gordon continued to be active, scoring five points.
But, as the Thunder continued to pull away, Gordon's impact waned. He did not score in the third quarter and sat the entire fourth.
How did Aaron Gordon suffer his hamstring injury?
Gordon was seen grabbing at his hamstring after chasing a loose ball late in the Nuggets’ 119-107 Game 6 victory against the Thunder. He hopped over Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso trying to get to the basketball and grabbed at his hamstring when the ball went out of bounds with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter. Gordon checked out of the game with 53.4 seconds remaining and did not return.