Aaron Gordon can begin gearing up for the playoffs after avoiding harm on a scary fall.With Denver attempting to repeat, the most important half of Gordon’s postseason preparations is elevated depth on the defensive finish, one thing that might’ve been a problem with an uncooperative hip.“That’s the main thing that I think about,” the Nuggets’ beginning energy ahead mentioned after Tuesday’s 110-105 win over the Spurs. “I think about ball pressure. You know, I try not to give anybody any space defensively.”After grabbing a defensive rebound early within the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s win over San Antonio, Michael Porter Jr. superior the ball to midcourt and lobbed a go to Gordon, who had a mismatch with 6-foot-1 Spurs guard Devonte’ Graham. The solely downside was Sidy Cissoko, San Antonio’s 6-foot-6 reserve, came visiting to help Graham and collided with Gordon on the peak of his soar. Cissoko’s momentum knocked Gordon off steadiness, and he crashed to the courtroom touchdown laborious on his proper hip. Justin Holiday and the remainder of Ball Arena winced as Gordon hit the ground, however he was in a position to keep within the game.“Adrenaline,” Gordon defined. “I’m going to feel that one tomorrow morning, I’ll tell you that much. You can ask me again at 8 a.m. tomorrow. It’s going to be a different answer.”Though the hip is probably going added to the listing of bumps and bruises most gamers deal with this time of season, it didn’t seem on Denver’s harm report forward of Thursday’s game against the Clippers. Gordon is listed as possible resulting from proper foot soreness, one thing he’s managed at completely different factors of the season.After a transient break to gather himself, Gordon went back to serving as Denver’s back-up middle within the second half. That meant a matchup with San Antonio’s 7-foot-4, rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama, who flirted with a quadruple double however needed 29 pictures to attain 23 factors.“We all know that Aaron’s a tough dude. That’s his job for us,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned.“He’s got to go out there in key possessions and guard a guy like Wembanyama and lock him up and use his physicality and his length and his toughness. … Aaron’s a warrior, man.”Gordon’s grit was instrumental in Denver’s first championship, and the Nuggets will depend on his toughness and defensive versatility again this yr. Last postseason, Gordon began at energy ahead and served as back-up middle in probably the most significant playoff video games. An identical function awaits when Denver begins its title protection later this month.“He’s a really big part of our culture, our identity,” Nikola Jokic mentioned after his 42-point game, whereas Gordon scored 23 factors on 12 pictures.
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“Tonight, he scored a lot, but I always talk to him, like, ‘Some nights you’re going to score eight and some nights you’re going to score 25 or whatever.’ I think he understands that, and that’s the best thing about him.”With six video games left in Denver’s common season, Gordon mentioned the extent of fatigue is comparable up to now final season. He believes the Nuggets are in a great place, even when his hip felt otherwise Wednesday morning.“We’re back engaged. We’re back on the right mindset, a positive mindset, an energetic, enthusiastic mindset,” Gordon mentioned. “I think we’re in a good place right now.”Nuggets vs. Clippers Injury ReportDenverNikola Jokic – possible (left hip/proper wrist irritation)Aaron Gordon – possible (proper foot pressure)Jamal Murray – questionable (proper knee irritation)Zeke Nnaji – uncertain (proper adductor tendinosis)Los AngelesKawhi Leonard – out (proper knee soreness)Joshua Primo – out (left ankle sprain)