The Denver Nuggets will have Aaron Gordon in the lineup on Sunday afternoon.
Gordon was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and was reportedly expected to miss Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. However, after Gordon worked out well while warming up before the game, the Nuggets announced he will be in the starting lineup.
ESPN earlier reported that Gordon would need a month to fully recover from the injury, putting his availability for the remainder of the playoffs in doubt even if the Nuggets win and advance to the West finals. Gordon, however, remained determined to play against the Thunder.
Gordon injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of Game 6 on Thursday night and had to leave the contest early. He had to scramble to try and pick up a loose ball after he accidentally bounced it off his foot, and he limped a bit once the play ended.
Gordon remained in the game briefly, but was subbed out. He finished with 5 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in the 119-107 win at Ball Arena, which forced the Game 7.
Gordon has averaged 14.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season, his fourth full one in Denver. The former Arizona star signed a four-year, $133 million extension with the Nuggets in October.
Gordon has been great throughout the playoffs for the Nuggets. The 29-year-old has averaged 14.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in the series against the Thunder. He hit a game-winning 3-pointer to stun OKC in Game 1. He also had a game-winning dunk in Denver’s opening-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets are 5-0 this postseason when Gordon scores at least 20 points.
Game 7 is set for Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City. A win would send the Nuggets into the Western Conference finals for the second time in the past three years. The Thunder, who rolled through the Western Conference and earned the top seed, haven’t been to the conference finals since 2016.
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