Aaron Gordon‘s return to the Denver Nuggets lineup has rejuvenated the team and elevated them to a new level. He has been dealing with a calf injury since early November. He returned for a stretch before re-aggravating the injury. After returning on January 12th against the Mavericks, he has played in five of the last six games, coming off the bench and providing great energy and effort. They are 5-0 in games he plays since his return, winning all five by double-digits. The Nuggets had already improved before Gordon’s return, but he has provided another spark, making them dangerous.
Aaron Gordon’s Return Elevates the Denver Nuggets
Letting the Game Come to Him
Gordon has embraced the culture of the Denver Nuggets since they traded for him during the 2020-21 season. He has accepted his role, allowing the Nuggets to thrive and win their first championship in 2022-23. His play style has complimented Nikola Jokić. Gordon knows where to play alongside him offensively while providing a versatile defender who can cover multiple positions. He helps alleviate some pressure off Jokić on that side of the court.
Since his return, he has let the offense come to him without forcing shots. In that span, he has shot 62.9% from the field and 41.7% from three averaging 13.0 points per game. His +10.0 average per game has been a huge factor in the Nuggets winning each game by double digits. With Gordon back, it gives more options for head coach Michael Malone, who sang Gordon’s praises after their victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Malone had this to say regarding Gordon’s role coming back from injury via Rachel Strand of ClutchPoints on X:
“The first thing he [Gordon] said to me was, ‘Coach, we’re playing really well. If you want to bring me off the bench, even when I’m healthy, bring me off the bench.’ And I’m not saying I’m going to do that, but I want everybody to know who Aaron Gordon is. That is selfless to a T… I just want everybody to know how special of a person Aaron Gordon is and how he views this. Not about him, but about what’s best for the team, and I love that about him.”
Russell Westbrook filled Gordon’s starting spot and has helped the Nuggets find their groove. Gordon understands that he can still affect the game from the bench and wants the team to win.
Adding More Depth
With Westbrook starting in Gordon’s absence, the Nuggets are 17-5. It has unlocked a historic combination between Westbrook and Jokić, who have thrived alongside each other. Other starters have stepped up in Gordon’s absence as Christian Braun provides consistent production and Jamal Murray has returned to form. With Gordon on a minute restriction coming off the injury, he can ease back into the lineup without affecting the Nuggets’ chemistry.
Adding one of the best two-way role players in the NBA to a hot team has elevated the Nuggets to a well-oiled machine. They are hitting on all cylinders and dominating their competition. Their average margin of victory in Gordon’s five games since his return has been 19.6 points per game, with none being relatively close.
Gordon’s on/off splits show the Nuggets are tremendously better with him on the court than off of it. The Nuggets have a +8 better net rating with Gordon on the court than off. Offensively, they perform +5.1 points better. Gordon’s excellent shot selection allows the Nuggets to have a two percent increase in effective field goal percentage while he’s on the court. Gordon’s impact especially shines on the defensive end. With Gordon on the court, their opponents’ offensive ratings dip -2.9 worse than him off the court. His defensive versatility provides a utility that the Nuggets can’t replicate.
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