Less than three and a half minutes into Friday night’s Emirates NBA Cup clash, the Denver Nuggets’ momentum came to a jarring halt. Aaron Gordon, the team’s versatile forward and emotional engine, crumpled to the floor at Toyota Center in Houston after a collision with Steven Adams—a brutal, awkward landing that ended his night and potentially his season’s early rhythm. The Nuggets still won 112-109, but the real story wasn’t the box score. It was the silence in the locker room afterward, and the dread that followed: Gordon, averaging 18.8 points and 5.9 rebounds through 15 games, is expected to miss multiple weeks with a right hamstring strain. This isn’t just another injury. It’s a seismic shift for a team that’s been among the NBA’s elite this season.
The Moment It Happened
Gordon entered the game listed as probable, having sat out the previous night’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans due to ongoing hamstring management. He’d been playing through discomfort for days, a quiet battle most fans didn’t notice. Then, with 7:23 left in the first quarter, he drove baseline, absorbed contact from Adams, and twisted awkwardly as he landed. No scream. No dramatic reaction. Just a slow, pained shuffle off the court, one hand clutching his right thigh, the other steadying himself against the sideline. The crowd murmured. His teammates froze. Coach David Adelman didn’t even make it to the locker room right away—he later admitted he didn’t speak with Gordon directly. "I didn’t go over and talk to him," Adelman said postgame. "Obviously, what Aaron is for us is enormous."
Why Gordon Matters More Than Stats Show
Numbers don’t capture everything. Gordon isn’t just Denver’s third-leading scorer—he’s the glue between their stars. He guards the opposing team’s best wing, initiates secondary offense, and makes the kind of hustle plays that don’t show up in assists or steals. His 53.2% shooting efficiency speaks to his timing and intelligence. In crunch time, when the Nuggets need a stop or a timely basket, Adelman looks to Gordon. And now, with Christian Braun still sidelined by a left ankle sprain expected to keep him out for at least another month, Denver’s frontcourt depth has evaporated. The Nuggets have no reliable backup for Gordon’s unique blend of size, athleticism, and defensive versatility. They’ve got Nikola Jokić, sure. But Jokić can’t guard 6’7" wings in pick-and-roll switches while also orchestrating the offense. Someone has to fill that void. And no one on the roster has done it consistently.
The Ripple Effect: A Team Under Pressure
The Nuggets are 12-3, still one of the top teams in the Western Conference. But they’re not just missing Gordon—they’re missing continuity. Their last two games have been played without their second-most important defensive anchor. The upcoming schedule doesn’t get easier: a home game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, followed by a stretch against the Warriors, Clippers, and Suns—all teams with explosive wings who thrive in transition. Without Gordon, Denver’s half-court defense will be exposed. Their bench, already thin, will be asked to play heavier minutes. Denver Nuggets head coach Adelman said he’s "confident" in the team’s resilience, but confidence doesn’t replace athleticism. The team’s medical staff will likely prioritize rest over rushing him back. As Sports Illustrated noted, "an added re-injury factor" makes this especially risky. Hamstring strains are notoriously tricky. Return too soon, and you risk a full tear. Wait too long, and you lose rhythm. The Nuggets won’t risk it.
What’s Next for Denver?
Expect P.J. Dozier to see increased minutes at the small forward spot, though he’s more of a point guard. Jalen Williams might get a look at power forward in small-ball lineups. But neither is a long-term solution. The trade deadline is still weeks away, but if the Nuggets fall out of the top-four in the West during Gordon’s absence, they’ll likely become buyers. For now, they’ll lean on Jokić’s brilliance and the emergence of rookie Kris Dunn, who’s shown flashes of defensive grit. Still, this isn’t just about substitutions. It’s about identity. The Nuggets are built on balance. Without Gordon, they become predictable. Opponents will dare their guards to shoot. They’ll attack the paint with abandon. And Jokić will have to do more than he’s ever done before.
A Broader Context: Injury Trends in the NBA
This isn’t an isolated incident. The 2025-26 season has already seen a 17% spike in hamstring injuries league-wide compared to last year, according to NBA Health & Safety data. Teams are playing more back-to-backs, more games in tight schedules, and players are returning sooner after minor strains. Gordon’s case is textbook: he played through discomfort, returned too early, and then re-aggravated it under pressure. The Nuggets, like many elite teams, have prioritized winning now over long-term health. That calculus just got more expensive. The league’s collective bargaining agreement doesn’t mandate rest days, and teams face immense pressure to perform. But when your best two-way forward goes down for weeks, the cost isn’t just in wins—it’s in momentum, chemistry, and championship hopes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Aaron Gordon expected to miss?
The Denver Nuggets have not released a specific timeline, but multiple sources, including Sports Illustrated, indicate Gordon is expected to miss "multiple weeks." Hamstring strains typically require 3–6 weeks of recovery, especially with a re-injury factor. A return before mid-December would be considered optimistic.
Who will replace Aaron Gordon in the starting lineup?
P.J. Dozier is the most likely candidate to start at small forward, though he’s primarily a point guard. Coach David Adelman may also experiment with small-ball lineups featuring Jalen Williams at power forward. Neither offers Gordon’s defensive versatility, which could force Jokić into more defensive responsibilities.
How does this affect the Nuggets’ playoff chances?
Denver remains a top-four contender with a 12-3 record, but losing Gordon for weeks increases the risk of slipping in the standings. Their defense, ranked top-5 in the league, will weaken without his ability to switch and guard multiple positions. If they drop out of the top four, they could face tougher first-round matchups, which could derail their title hopes.
Why did Gordon play despite being listed as probable?
The Nuggets are in the thick of the NBA Cup and playoff race. With Christian Braun already out, they couldn’t afford to sit another key player. Gordon had played 30+ minutes in each of the previous three games and felt cleared by the medical staff. But the strain was clearly lingering, and the collision with Adams was the final trigger.
Has this happened to Gordon before?
Yes. Gordon missed six games last season with a similar right hamstring strain in January 2025. He also had a minor strain in November 2024 that kept him out for three games. His history suggests he’s prone to re-injury if not fully rested, which makes this latest setback even more concerning for the team.
What’s the impact on the NBA Cup tournament?
The Nuggets still lead their group with a 2-0 record, but without Gordon, their chances of advancing as a top seed weaken. Teams like the Lakers and Mavericks, who have deeper benches, could overtake them. The NBA Cup is secondary to the regular season, but a strong showing boosts seeding and momentum—two things Denver can no longer count on.