The Denver Nuggets are 4-3 to begin the 2024-25 NBA season. However, they are also very close to standing at 1-6 right now as well. The Nuggets barely defeated the Toronto Raptors (twice) and the Brooklyn Nets in the past couple of weeks, but those games easily could have gone the other way. They technically have a winning record, but the Nuggets do not look like the dominant team that won it all in 2023. And now, the team is set to play without one of their top starters for the foreseeable future. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Nuggets starter Aaron Gordon suffered a right calf injury. This will keep him sidelined for “multiple weeks.”
Injury blow to Denver: Nuggets F Aaron Gordon will miss multiple weeks due to a right calf strain, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/i26gkpNqz6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2024
Denver Nuggets Starter Suffers Injury, ‘Will Miss Multiple Weeks’
Aaron Gordon’s Season So Far
On October 21, Gordon signed a four-year, $133 million contract extension to remain in Denver. So far, he has lived up to his new deal.
Through the first seven games of the season, the 29-year-old is averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. This also includes his game against the Raptors on Monday night when he only played four minutes due to his injury. Furthermore, Gordon is shooting 52.9% from the field and 54.5% from the three-point line.
Losing Gordon is a tough loss for Denver, especially with where they stand in the league so far. Hopefully for Gordon and the team, he will return to the court sooner rather than later. in his absence, the Nuggets will likely rely a bit more heavily on Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther. Furthermore, Nikole Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. will also presumably take on a larger role on the offensive side of the ball until Gordon returns.
The Last Word On Aaron Gordon and the Denver Nuggets
The season is still young, but things are not looking great in Denver. Many expected a dropoff after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left in the offseason to join the Orlando Magic. However, the difference between last year’s team and this year’s so far is jarring. The Nuggets are still a solid team on offense, but their defense has taken a major backseat this season. They are allowing 116.6 points per game and have a DRTG of 114.1. Furthermore, this is even more concerning because they have not had a difficult schedule to begin the year. Outside of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, none of their opponents so far are expected to make a playoff run.
It is too early to hit the panic button, especially considering that they still have a winning record. However, nobody is going to deny that they are not playing the basketball we are accustomed to seeing from them. Regardless, the Nuggets have the reigning MVP and have tremendous talent on the roster. Not having Gordon for the next few weeks is going to prove difficult for the Nuggets. However, they still have a top roster in the league.
Denver’s next game is Wednesday night against the undefeated Thunder.
