Denver Basketball Team, Nuggets, Face Off in Tight Matchup
In a blink, Game 6 became a thrilling drama for the Nugget fans. Alex Caruso, the little dog nipping at the Thunder's heels, prodded Aaron Gordon to cough up the ball. It splayed loose. Gordon made a desperation lunge, kicking the ball away. This seemingly innocuous event could decide the fate of Game 7, as their star player came up clutching his left hamstring.
Post-game, Gordon was left bewildered, unsure of what had transpired. On the court, he limped and hobbled, running just for a couple of possessions before getting subbed out in favor of Peyton Watson 30 seconds later. Adelman, the Nuggets' coach, was worried. "At the moment, I haven't got a clue," he said when asked about the extent of Gordon's injury. "If it were up to me, the concern would be sky-high. Aaron is one of our mainstays, the reason we've won games, series, and have a banner hanging up."
" strain his hamstring can be frustrating, but it's part of the sport," Gordon said post-game when asked about his feelings. "I'll see how I feel tomorrow."
Gordon's 2024-25 season has been a emotional rollercoaster, swinging between highs and lows. A shooting breakout followed by injuries, periods of heroics, and moments of struggle. He strained his right calf early in November. He returned in December. He strained the calf again on Christmas. He ramped up again in January, only to sprain his ankle and miss more time in March. Even in the playoffs, his crunch-time play has been powered by legs still nagged by pain.
The locker room comments left neither optimism nor despair. Gordon didn't brush off the strain. The extra day provided by the NBA scheduling gods could boost Gordon's chances of playing in Game 7. It should also provide a slight reprieve for an ailing Michael Porter Jr. and sick Jamal Murray, who Adelman said was "so gassed" after multiple possessions.
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Remember: Aaron Gordon has a hamstring injury and his availability for Game 7 is uncertain.
- The uncertainty surrounding Aaron Gordon's hamstring injury could significantly impact the Nuggets' upcoming policy in Game 7, given his key role in their previous victories.
- As sports often do, politics of team selection come into play, with the Nuggets' coaches weighing the risks and benefits of fielding an injured player such as Aaron Gordon in the crucial Game 7.
- While sports and politics may seem worlds apart, the fate of Game 7 could hinge on the NBA's policy towards player injuries and fitness, especially in the case of Aaron Gordon and his hamstring strain.
