One of the most important players for the Denver Nuggets is Aaron Gordon, who has been plagued by hamstring injuries this season.
Fresh off an overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, the Nuggets welcome the Portland Trail Blazers to the Ball Arena on Monday night.
Gordon has been limited to just 34 games this season after a couple of right hamstring strain injuries. He gave Denver a scare on March 29 after waking up with a sore right hamstring, but he has played in the team’s last two games.
The 30-year-old forward played 28 minutes and scored six points in the Nuggets’ 130-117 win over the Utah Jazz. He was on the floor for 41 minutes versus San Antonio, dropping 15 points, including the basket that sent the game to overtime.
The Nuggets outlasted the Spurs, 136-134.
Gordon Available For Blazers Game
In a surprising twist, the Nuggets are feeling confident about Gordon’s health after he played 41 minutes in their previous game. He is not on the team’s injury report for the Blazers matchup, which means he’s going to start in the crucial game.
With the Los Angeles Lakers barely clinging to the No. 3 seed, the Nuggets can extend their win streak to nine and get ahead in the standings. The Lakers are set to play the rest of the regular season without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, so Denver has a chance to earn a higher seed for the playoffs.
Despite Gordon’s availability, the Nuggets can’t shake the injury bug. Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, who have been vital to the team’s success this season, are both out due to a right hamstring strain.
Zeke Nnaji is questionable because of a sprained left hip, while Bruce Brown Jr. is probable with a left ankle sprain. Brown will likely get upgraded to available before tip-off.
David Adelman Explains Why Gordon’s Minutes Restriction Was Lifted
Gordon was not supposed to play 41 minutes against the Spurs. He was still under minutes restriction, but coach David Adelman decided to extend his playing time because of how important he was to the Nuggets’ chances of winning.
The Arizona product came up clutch, scoring the game-tying basket toward the end of regulation and getting the stop on Victor Wembanyama to force overtime.
GettyAaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball as Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on April 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Adelman explained why he had to give Gordon full rotational minutes against San Antonio.
“I mean, no rules in overtime,” Adelman said, via Jared Koch of Sports Illustrated. “Yeah, he went past what we wanted. We’ll have to see where he’s at. That was part of the reason we were switching a lot early even though sometimes it didn’t go well with Wemby.”
Adelman added that not being in foul trouble helped Gordon clamp down on the Spurs late in the game.
With the West still wide-open in the playoffs, the Nuggets need Gordon to remain healthy to increase their chances of winning another NBA championship.
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