Northwest Division Update: Gordon Adjusts to Bench Role, Portland Extends Streak, Holiday Nears Comeback, Bailey Remains Day-to-Day
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DENVER — The Nuggets are bringing forward Aaron Gordon off the bench as he works his way back from a six-week hamstring layoff, allowing coach David Adelman to manage the veteran’s minutes and keep him available for late-game situations.
Gordon logged 24 minutes in Friday’s loss to Atlanta, his highest total in three games since returning, and finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Adelman noted that opening with Hunter Tyson and DaRon Holmes kept the contest close until Gordon entered, giving Denver options when closing out the night.
“When you have a minute restriction, if you start somebody, they sit for so long before you put them back in,” Adelman said postgame. Gordon, still acclimating to a reserve role, added, “I’m just trying to figure out the flow of my minutes… If I was better in the second half, we would have won that game.”
Trail Blazers Ride Five-Game Win Streak
Portland has won five straight, mirroring last season’s late surge. Interim coach Tiago Splitter credited the confidence of two-way players Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love, who have earned steady rotation minutes amid injuries. “True minutes, meaningful minutes,” Splitter said. “We have a system and a way to play, and we just follow it.”
Holiday Upgraded to Questionable
Guard Jrue Holiday, sidelined since Nov. 14 with a right calf strain, could return Sunday against New York. The veteran has missed 27 games but was upgraded to questionable after Friday’s practice. In 12 appearances, Holiday is averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists over 33.4 minutes.
Bailey’s Hip Issue Still Lingering
Jazz rookie Ace Bailey remains day-to-day with a strained hip flexor. The first-round pick tried to play Wednesday in Oklahoma City but logged only 10 minutes before discomfort returned. “We didn’t love how he looked, he didn’t love how he felt,” coach Will Hardy said. Bailey has not seen extended action since the injury occurred on Dec. 26.
Source: Hoops Rumors
