Aaron Gordon

Gordon most recently played 27 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Pacers. He hasn’t missed a game this season, and Trevon Brazile is the likely replacement in the starting lineup if Gordon doesn’t play on Monday.

Ejected in the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss to the Warriors, Gordon was available for all 48 minutes on Wednesday. The double-double was his first of the season, and the 15 points were one more than his total in Denver’s last two games. Gordon has been close to a top-100 player so far, and it isn’t unrealistic to expect him to maintain that production.

Gordon was given two technical fouls in quick succession after arguing a call, ending his night with 8:34 left in the fourth quarter. He finished with seven points (2-of-10 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Marvin Bagley III replaced Gordon in the lineup after he was ejected.

A notoriously poor perimeter shooter for most of his NBA career, Gordon has worked hard in recent years to change that. A 41 percent three-point shooter over his last two seasons, the Nuggets forward hit 3-of-4 from distance on Thursday. By comparison, the other starters shot a combined 3-of-15 from beyond the arc against the Thunder. No one should expect Gordon to challenge Stephen Curry, but his perimeter shot is no longer a liability.

While Gordon finished the 2025-26 season with increased averages in points, rebounds and three-pointers, injuries limited him to 36 regular-season games. As a result, fantasy managers didn’t reap as many rewards from his improvement as they would have liked. Gordon’s perimeter shooting has improved, with the veteran forward making 41.3 percent of his attempts over the last two seasons. AG shot 3-of-4 from deep on Sunday, and while no one expects him to shoot 75 percent consistently, his improved shooting raises his ceiling.

Despite being limited to 87 regular-season games over the last two seasons due to injuries. Gordon is a popular player heading into the offseason. According to Stein, the athletic forward is the veteran Nuggets player who has drawn the most trade interest from opposing teams. However, he also reported that if Denver were to make a move, they would prefer to find a trade partner for Christian Braun rather than for Gordon or Jamal Murray. Making a move would likely make it easier for the Nuggets to hold onto Peyton Watson, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the month.

For the third time in this series, the Nuggets will be without their starting power forward. The versatile two-way forward has struggled with injuries throughout his 12th NBA season, and has played in only three of the five playoff games so far, averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Without Gordon, Spencer Jones should fill in again as the fifth starter. Jones scored 20 points and made four three-pointers in Denver’s Game 5 victory.

Gordon did not play in Denver’s Game 5 victory on Monday, resulting in a move into the starting lineup for Spencer Jones. Shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, Jones tallied 20 points, three steals and three blocked shots to help the Nuggets keep their season alive. He’ll get another start if Gordon remains out for another game.

Gordon played 23 minutes in Saturday’s Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves before heading to the locker room in the third quarter. Despite the Nuggets saying he was available, Gordon didn’t return to the court. Now he’s been ruled out for Game 5. Expect Spencer Jones to start in his place.

Gordon, who played 23 minutes in Game 3, did not return after a third-quarter trip to the locker room despite the Nuggets saying that he was available. With the Nuggets’ backs against the wall, it would be unsurprising if he gave it a go on Monday. If Gordon can’t play, Spencer Jones is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, but he offers little value on the offensive end.

Back in action after a one-game absence, Gordon was placed in the starting lineup immediately. While he did play 23 minutes, the veteran forward did not appear to be himself. While the Nuggets said Gordon was available to return after a trip to the locker room during the third quarter, he did not. After the game, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said he believed it would be “unfair” to leave Gordon in. The Nuggets host Game 5 on Monday, and Spencer Jones (four rebounds, one steal and two blocks) may have to return to the starting lineup if Gordon can’t go.

Gordon is back after sitting out the Nuggets’ Game 3 loss on Thursday night. How much he’ll play is unknown, but Gordon’s return means fewer minutes for spot starter Spencer Jones.

Gordon had eight points in 37 minutes in Game 2, but missed Game 3 with a calf injury. Spencer Jones started, but had just six points in Game 3. If Gordon is out again, Jones would be a candidate for another spot start. Gordon remains questionable for Game 4 on Saturday.

After previously being downgraded from probable to questionable, Gordon is now ruled out of Thursday’s contest. Without him, the Nuggets lose arguably their best defender and one of their more versatile offensive weapons as they look to rebound from a Game 3 loss. Bruce Brown could be a player who sees more minutes in Gordon’s absence.

Gordon’s status doesn’t bode well for his availability in Game 3. If AG is unable to go, Bruce Brown could see some additional run off the bench in a crucial Game 3.

If available on Thursday, the Nuggets could benefit from a performance that more closely resembles the 17/8/3 line in Game 1 than the 8/7/4 line that Gordon logged in Game 2, as they look to respond from a loss. If unavailable, Bruce Brown could see extended minutes off the bench.

Despite early foul trouble, Gordon finished Game 1 with a solid stat line. And his time on the bench during the second quarter factored into the Nuggets taking home the victory. During that period, Denver received notable contributions from Tim Hardaway Jr. (7/3/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) and Bruce Brown (8/7/3/5 with one three-pointer), while Jamal Murray scored eight of his game-high 30 points. Gordon and the Nuggets will look to defend home court in Game 2 on Monday.

Gordon and Hardaway getting additional recovery time ahead of the playoffs is far more impactful on the Nuggets’ rotation than Jones’ continued absence with a strained hamstring. David Roddy, who scored 21 points off the bench in Friday’s win over the Thunder, should once again play extended minutes, potentially as a starter to fill the void left by Hardaway.

Braun and the rest of Denver’s starting five will sit out Friday’s game. His absence should result in a spot start for Bruce Brown, who is worth rostering in active fantasy leagues due to Denver’s lack of bodies.

Whether Gordon plays on Friday is to be determined. In an injury-filled season for the veteran forward, he’s averaging 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. If available, he’ll slot into the starting unit and provide his usual value on both ends of the floor. However, Bruce Brown could see an increase in minutes should Gordon sit out Friday’s contest.