Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacek Featured Columnist IV November 5, 2024
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The Denver Nuggets are in the middle of an inconsistent start to the season at 4-3, and they will now need to tread water for the immediate future without one of their best players.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that Aaron Gordon will be sidelined for “multiple weeks” because he suffered a right calf strain.
This is quite the blow for Denver, as Gordon’s overall versatility on both ends of the floor will be difficult to replace. His chemistry with Nikola Jokić also stands out, as the big man often looks his way for lobs and kick passes when facing double teams.
Gordon is averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists a night while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from deep through seven games this season. He poured in 31 points in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and has provided important outside shooting that hasn’t always been a consistent part of his offensive arsenal.
An injury to Gordon is also particularly difficult for the Nuggets beyond just his own individual talent.
This team isn’t very deep, especially in the daunting Western Conference. Any setback for one of the key players such as Jokić, Gordon, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will put even more onus on a bench that has drastically underperformed in the early going this season.
And Murray is in the league’s concussion protocol and missed Monday’s win over the Toronto Raptors.
According to NBA.com, Denver’s bench is last in the league in net rating at minus-6.9.
With Murray and Gordon dealing with injuries, that struggling bench will be all the more important as the Nuggets look to position themselves in the Western Conference playoff race. Look for Peyton Watson and Zeke Nnaji to see more playing time while Gordon is out.
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