Few moments illustrated this importance better than Sunday, as Aaron Gordon took the court for Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He courageously fought through a left hamstring strain he suffered during Thursday’s exhilarating Game 6 win. The Denver Nuggets forward was initially listed as questionable but ultimately received medical clearance to play, demonstrating his determination and resilience.
Gordon’s presence in the starting lineup adds significant value to the Nuggets, who are looking to advance further in the postseason. Throughout this playoff run, he’s solidified his place as a key cog in the Spurs core. Besides making crucial plays, he’s having a career playoff year—16.8 points per game, 7.3 rebounds. His performance has been pivotal in several key moments, including a buzzer-beating putback dunk in Game 4 against the LA Clippers and a clutch three-pointer with three seconds remaining in Game 1 against the Thunder.
Injury issues have plagued Gordon on and off throughout the regular season, as he found himself only able to play 51 games in total. His knack for delivering the goods when it matters most adds to his legend. He’s gained a well-earned reputation as the best player in clutch situations.
Coach David Adelman expressed confidence in Gordon’s toughness, stating, “If Aaron can go, he’ll go. That’s who he is. There’s some real toughness there. Sometimes being really, really tough and being hurt can get in the way.”
Despite facing adversity, Gordon’s contributions have been instrumental in Denver’s journey this postseason. His performance includes several clutch plays that have kept the Nuggets competitive, such as a three-pointer that forced overtime in Game 3 against Oklahoma City.
At 29 years young, Gordon has proven he can do the dirty work and still has a lot to offer on the court. He’s still an incredibly important player to the Nuggets coronet, and a crucial piece in their championship defense going forward. With his ability to perform under pressure and make impactful plays, Gordon’s return to the lineup signifies hope for Denver fans as they aim for success in this pivotal playoff matchup.
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