Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain, putting his status in doubt for Sunday’s Game 7 at Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon started in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, despite having a strained left hamstring.
Denver interim coach David Adelman had said he would be a game-time decision, but the Nuggets upgraded him to available less than an hour before the start. He ultimately played 24 minutes in the Nuggets’ 125-93 loss, finishing with eight points and 11 rebounds.
The injury appeared to occur late in Game 6 when Thunder guard Alex Caruso slid under him while scrambling for a loose ball. Gordon limped and massaged the hamstring after the play.
Gordon helped the Nuggets win their only NBA championship in 2023. In this series, he has averaged 14.5 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 45% from 3-point range. He hit the game-winning 3-pointer in Game 1, a 121-119 victory that temporarily gave the Nuggets homecourt advantage.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the Thunder are prepared either way.
“It’s Game 7,” he said. “Anything can happen. Anybody can step up. We’ve got to be ready for their best punch. We are. We know they’re going to throw their best punch to start with.”
Gordon played just 51 regular-season games as he dealt with a strained right calf and sprained left ankle.
The Thunder advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Game 1 is set for Tuesday (8:30 ET, ESPN).
