Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] The Denver Nuggets were holding out hope that Aaron Gordon would be ready for Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday—but that now appears unlikely.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Gordon is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and will require several weeks to fully recover.
Although the Nuggets have officially listed him as a game-time decision, Charania reports it’s “physically improbable” that Gordon will be able to take the floor.
He took part in a team walkthrough on Saturday but is reportedly still experiencing significant pain.
Gordon sustained the injury late in Denver’s Game 6 victory after coming up limping while fighting for a loose ball in the final minutes.
Outside of Nikola Jokic, Gordon has arguably been Denver’s most impactful player this postseason. He delivered clutch plays in key moments, including a buzzer-beating putback slam in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Clippers and a go-ahead three-pointer in Game 1 versus the Thunder.
Through six games in the Oklahoma City series, Gordon is averaging 14.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. His absence would be a major blow as the Nuggets fight to keep their title defense alive.