Nikola Jokic told Aaron Gordon to sit out, but the forward battled through a hamstring injury in Game 7 defeat | NBA News
Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets took to the court for Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, even while struggling with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. This type of injury usually requires a lengthy recovery, which raised concerns about his ability to participate. His teammate Nikola Jokic even advised him against playing, worried about potential further injury. However, Gordon’s dedication allowed him to contribute 8 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes, although the Nuggets lost 125–93, ending their playoff run.
Aaron Gordon defies medical odds to play
Aaron Gordon’s choice to tough it out with a serious hamstring injury in Game 7 was brave but risky. He was initially marked as doubtful, but after a team walkthrough and getting the green light from the docs based on how he felt, he was good to go. His teammate Nikola Jokic voiced his worries, saying, “I told him not to play. You can injure yourself even worse. You can see that he was struggling a little bit—hard to move and this and that. But he’s a lion. He went out there and fought with us, and we can just appreciate it.”Even though he was really trying hard, Gordon’s injury clearly impacted how he played. He put up 8 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in 25 minutes, but after the game, he confessed he couldn’t sprint and would have missed a couple of games in the conference finals if the Nuggets had made it.The Nuggets, dealing with injuries and sickness among stars like Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray, had a tough time keeping up with the Thunder. Oklahoma City took advantage of Denver’s 23 turnovers, turning them into 37 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was on fire for the Thunder with 35 points, and Jalen Williams chipped in 24. On the defensive end, Alex Caruso did a great job holding Jokic to just 20 points on nine shots.The high stakes and disappointment of that crucial game were evident in Gordon’s evident irritation with the officials following the questionable call on Gilgeous-Alexander.Also Read: Game 1 of Knicks vs Pacers isn’t just fire on the court — it’s burning holes in fans’ pockets tooWhile his determination is admirable, the Nuggets’ loss at the end of the season highlights how important it is to prioritize player well-being. As Denver reflects on this playoff exit, they’ll surely focus on healing and getting ready for the next season’s hurdles.
