Nuggets Counting on Healthy Aaron Gordon to Boost Title Hopes

Denver's two-way forward is key to the team's championship aspirations.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:10pm

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As the Denver Nuggets gear up for the playoffs, much of the focus has been on stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. However, the team's title hopes may ultimately hinge on the health and performance of forward Aaron Gordon. When Gordon is playing at his highest level, the Nuggets are one of the NBA's most complete teams, but lingering hamstring injuries have hindered his consistency over the past two seasons.

Why it matters

Gordon's two-way impact is essential for the Nuggets, as his defensive versatility and complementary offensive skills help offset Jokić's defensive limitations. The team has struggled defensively without Gordon on the floor, underscoring his importance to their championship aspirations.

The details

Gordon plays a crucial role for the Nuggets, providing efficient scoring, rebounding, and playmaking that meshes well with Jokić's game. He has developed into a reliable three-point shooter, now hitting 41% from deep this season. Defensively, Gordon's size and strength allow him to guard multiple positions, which is crucial for the Nuggets' lineup flexibility.

  • Gordon has dealt with lingering hamstring injuries over the past two seasons.
  • During last year's playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Gordon strained his left hamstring in Game 6 and played limited minutes in the Game 7 loss.
  • This season, the Nuggets are 24-19 without Gordon and 22-9 with him, with a significant defensive rating gap when he is on and off the floor.

The players

Nikola Jokić

The Denver Nuggets' star center and two-time NBA MVP.

Jamal Murray

The Nuggets' star guard and one of the team's key offensive threats.

Aaron Gordon

The Nuggets' versatile two-way forward whose health and performance are crucial to the team's championship aspirations.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just lurking on the baseline trying to clean up the garbage.”

— Aaron Gordon

“Aaron Gordon's defensive versatility allows the Nuggets to run multiple different defensive lineups, many of which keep the team's best defensive players on the court at the same time when needed.”

— David Adelman, Nuggets Assistant Coach

What’s next

As the playoffs approach, the Nuggets will closely monitor Aaron Gordon's health and hope he can stay on the floor and play at his best to give the team the best chance at winning an NBA title.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' championship aspirations may hinge on Aaron Gordon's ability to stay healthy and contribute at a high level on both ends of the floor. His two-way impact is essential to the team's success, and the Nuggets will need him at full strength to compete with the top contenders in the Western Conference.