The Denver Nuggets will be without forward Aaron Gordon for Monday night’s elimination Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gordon has been ruled out with calf tightness following pregame warmups. He was listed as questionable earlier but became a game-time decision after dealing with the issue that first popped up in Game 2.
Nuggets rule Gordon out of Game 3 with calf tightness | AP News
Gordon missed Game 3 due to the injury and returned for limited action in Game 4, but his body wore down as the night went on. Head coach David Adelman noted the tough timing, saying it was a difficult situation for Gordon to face this kind of setback two years in a row. “He wasn’t himself the other night but still gave us decent minutes in the first half,” Adelman said.
The Nuggets took Game 1 with Gordon in the lineup but have dropped the next three, putting Minnesota up 3-1 in the series. Gordon has been a vital piece for Denver behind Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. The versatile forward averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this season while shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and finish strong at the rim makes his absence a significant challenge for an already thin bench.
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With Gordon out, second-year player Spencer Jones started in Game 3 and will likely see more action again. Adelman emphasized that Game 5 will be “all hands on deck” as Denver fights to keep its season alive.
On the other side, the Timberwolves are also dealing with major absences. Starting guard Donte DiVincenzo is out for the season with a torn Achilles from Game 4. All-Star Anthony Edwards suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise in the same contest and has been listed as week-to-week. Head coach Chris Finch expressed relief that the injury wasn’t more serious and remains hopeful Edwards could return later in the postseason if Minnesota advances.
Despite the injuries, Minnesota rallied to win Game 4 and will look to close out the series on the road in Denver with a chance to advance to the second round.