Aaron Gordon gives update after late-game hamstring injury, concern “high”

DENVER — Aaron Gordon walked off the floor late with a hamstring injury during the Nuggets’ Game 6 against the Thunder on Thursday.

Gordon’s leg issue puts the big-time forward’s status in question for Sunday’s Game 7 in the Sooner State.

With about 100 seconds left in Game 6, Chet Holmgren stripped Gordon of the ball, and the Nuggets player chased it alongside OKC’s  Alex Caruso. The two mixed up, and Gordon kicked the ball and took an awkward step. He came up, grabbed his hamstring, and checked out of the game about 30 seconds later.

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“At this point, I have no idea. It would be high, obviously,” Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman said just after the game about his concern. “Aaron is one of our guys — he’s a reason we’ve won games and won series and have a banner hanging up in there.”

Gordon’s lowest-scoring game of the playoffs came in Game 6, with just five points. From tallying two buzzer-beaters to doing all the small things, AG has had an obscene playoffs thus far. He’s averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 48.5% shooting over 13 postseason contests.

“I feel ok. We’ll see,” Gordon said from the locker room postgame. “I’m going to start the recovery process now and make sure I’m getting ready for Game 7.

Gordon has had a couple of injury issues recently, limited to 51 games this year, which was the fewest in a full season since his rookie year. He missed two extended stretches with calf injuries. He also started the playoffs with an issue that had him struggling to jump.

Unlike this entire series, the Nuggets will catch a small break. Denver has played a game every other day going back to Apr. 29 against the Los Angeles Clippers — they’ll get an extra day off before the do-or-die game.

“It’s really nice to have two days for all the guys to have treatment and all of those things. I haven’t gotten a clear answer. He’ll get checked out,” Adelman said. “But I mean this, having two days off — wow, this has been a marathon. The guys in there look happier that they have [Friday] off than that they’re going to a Game 7. It’s going to be really nice. It’s nice to have two days to get guys right going into a Sunday matinee. Concern for Aaron is so high. He’s played through a lot through this whole season, so we’ll see where he’s at.”

Aside from Gordon’s awesome play and shooting improvements, the Nuggets’ short bench and the shoulder injury to Michael Porter Jr. have made the power forward even more critical.

If Gordon can’t go, the Nuggets will likely elevate Russell Westbrook to the starting lineup. Denver was 13-7 in games this season where the former MVP started in the dunk contest star’s place. Though Westbrook has had a few rough games lately in this series, his shot has really struggled. Adelman could also opt for Peyton Watson in that spot, or could dust off Zeke Nnaji. Whether Gordon plays or doesn’t, Julian Strawther could be in line for more minutes with his 15-point second half being a giant catalyst for the Nuggets. If Gordon is hobbled or sidelined, the Nuggets are in big trouble.