The Denver Nuggets took a tough hit on the injury front this week. Forward Aaron Gordon will be sidelined for at least the next four to six weeks after suffering a right hamstring strain during last Friday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. That timeline means Gordon will be out through the All-Star break and likely into mid-March - a stretch that could see him miss anywhere from 13 to 20 games.
For a player who just worked his way back from a previous injury - one that kept him off the floor for nearly 20 straight games - this is a frustrating setback. The Nuggets had been easing Gordon back into action, but with other starters out, his workload ramped up quickly.
That included playing on multiple back-to-backs, a tough ask for someone returning from injury. Now, Denver’s going to have to navigate another critical stretch of the season without one of its most versatile pieces.
The timing isn’t ideal, but there is a small silver lining: the All-Star break will at least buy Gordon and the team a week without games. Still, Denver’s rotation takes another hit during a stretch of the season when continuity and chemistry start to matter a little more each night.
In Gordon’s absence, Spencer Jones is expected to continue seeing extended minutes. He’s already started 30 of the 42 games he’s played this season, mostly at the power forward spot. Whether he stays in that role may depend on whether the Nuggets convert him to a full-time contract once his current games limit is reached.
And Gordon’s not the only key piece missing. The Nuggets are also without Nikola Jokic, Cam Johnson, and Christian Braun.
Jokic is reportedly close to returning, with Johnson trailing him and Braun’s timeline still uncertain. If those three make it back soon, Denver can at least soften the blow of Gordon’s absence.
But that’s a big “if,” and it doesn’t change the fact that the Nuggets have rarely had their full squad available this season.
That lack of continuity has made it hard to get a true read on this team’s ceiling. When healthy, Denver has championship-level talent - that much isn’t in question. But health has been the wildcard all season long.
Gordon, in particular, is a critical piece of the puzzle. His ability to adapt to whatever the Nuggets need on a given night - whether it’s playmaking, scoring, rebounding, or defense - makes him one of the most valuable glue guys in the league.
He’s not just filling gaps; he’s elevating the group around him. That’s the kind of player Denver envisioned when they traded for him back in 2021, and he’s lived up to that billing.
But this latest injury raises some tough questions for the Nuggets. How much can they realistically ask of Gordon during the regular season?
This is now the second consecutive year where soft tissue injuries have disrupted his rhythm. Prior to that, he was a model of durability, logging heavy minutes over three straight seasons without major issues.
Whether these recent injuries are just bad luck or a sign of wear and tear after 12 years in the league is something the Nuggets will have to consider moving forward.
What’s clear is that for Denver to be at its best come playoff time, they need Gordon healthy and in rhythm. That means managing his workload wisely - not just for now, but for the long haul.
The regular season matters, but the Nuggets are playing for more than just seeding. They’re playing for banners.
To get there, they’ll need to stay afloat in the standings while navigating yet another stretch without key contributors. Winning games with four starters out is a tall task for any team, and it’s not a sustainable formula.
The Nuggets have the talent. But right now, they’ve got some big questions to answer - and not a lot of time to figure it all out.