Denver interim coach David Adelman said forward Aaron Gordon believes his newest right hamstring strain is milder than the one that sidelined him in late November, but medical tests will determine the exact severity.
“He’s optimistic it’s not as bad as the last one, but we won’t know until it’s checked,” Adelman told reporters. Gordon previously missed six weeks — 19 games — before rejoining the lineup in early January.
Playing on a back-to-back
Gordon logged minutes during Friday’s victory in Milwaukee, the second game of a back-to-back set. Adelman said the decision was based on a post-game stress evaluation that showed no issues. “These injuries can resurface at any time,” Adelman noted. “Our staff believed the stress test said he was clear, so he played.”
Valanciunas back in the middle
Thursday’s win in Washington marked the return of center Jonas Valanciunas, who had been out 22 days with a calf strain. The Lithuanian veteran produced 16 points, nine rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes against his former club. Gordon welcomed the reunion, saying Valanciunas allows him to shift back to power forward and brings a needed presence on the glass. In 54 minutes with both big men on the court this season, Denver has overwhelmed opponents by a wide margin.
Watson’s career night followed by ankle issues
Forward Peyton Watson poured in a personal-best 35 points on 10-for-16 shooting Thursday, adding eight rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals in 40 minutes. He sprained his left ankle during the performance, and the club listed sprains in both ankles when he sat out Friday. Watson’s recent surge has boosted his market value; one high-ranking league executive told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps the 23-year-old could command roughly $20 million per year as a restricted free agent this summer.
Jokic, Braun and Johnson progress
Nikola Jokic (knee), Christian Braun (left ankle) and Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise) all completed pregame shooting routines Thursday. Jokic wore a sleeve on his injured left leg while working out.
A separate report from The Denver Post examined five trends shaping the Nuggets since Jokic’s injury absence.
Source: Hoops Rumors
