Despite sustaining a left hamstring strain just three days ago, Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon started Sunday’s Game 7 conference semifinal at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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.
Gordon didn’t do any strenuous jumping or running during his warmup. He sustained a left hamstring strain chasing a loose ball late in the Nuggets’ 119-107 Game 6 victory 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.
Hamstring injuries can be complicated and usually require rest to fully heal, at the risk of reaggravation. Golden State star Stephen Curry just missed the final four games of the Warriors’ series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a grade 1 hamstring strain.
Gordon has 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.
Gordon is 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 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.
When is Nuggets-Thunder Game 7?
The Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be played at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and air on ABC and ESPN+.