The chances of Aaron Gordon, forward for the Denver Nuggets, participating in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals are becoming increasingly slim. According to reports from ESPN's Shams Charania, Gordon is suffering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain, an injury that typically demands several weeks of recovery time. Despite the pressing situation, Gordon is still pushing for a chance to play this Sunday.
Even if the Nuggets manage to advance past this round, Gordon's recovery timeline raises significant concerns regarding his availability for the upcoming Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Charania indicated that Gordon's playoff run may be over entirely, which would be a substantial blow for the team.
The 6'8" forward has been a crucial asset for the Nuggets, serving as an effective secondary scorer behind star player Nikola Jokić. Throughout 13 playoff games, Gordon has averaged 16.8 points per game and has shot 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. His contributions were pivotal in the first round, particularly in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he was in the right position to capitalize on a missed shot by Jokić, leading to a crucial victory.
With Gordon sidelined due to his hamstring strain, the responsibility to step up falls heavily on Michael Porter Jr.. Porter is also contending with his own injury, a left shoulder sprain, but it has not been severe enough to keep him off the court entirely. However, his recent performance has raised concerns, as he has managed to score only 15 points across the last three games on a dismal 6-of-23 shooting performance.
Porter himself has recognized the impact of his performance on the team's success. Ahead of Game 6, he stated, "We’ve played well enough to win the last two games. A lot of the reason we lost is because I’m not helping contribute. And that’s tough. That’s really tough. I’m looking at myself individually and how I can try to help the team win, because I haven’t been doing that." His commitment to improving is evident, as he seeks to enhance his contributions to the team.
Despite the Nuggets' victory on Thursday night, Porter's production did not see a significant uptick. In 29 minutes of play, he recorded 10 points, four rebounds, one steal, and one block. As the Nuggets gear up for a potentially pivotal Game 7, both the team's strategies and individual performances will be crucial in determining their playoff fate.
