‘I’ve gotta stay on top of it’

Aaron Gordon overcame his first impediment by getting again on the courtroom.

His subsequent problem is make an impression when he’s on the courtroom.

His third will probably be to stay there.

“Obviously, I’ve gotta play better on the offensive side,” he mentioned after his first recreation in additional than a month. “And defense. I’ve just gotta play better for us to have a chance to win. I think as I get my legs back under me, I’ll do that. So I’ve gotta be better for us.”

Gordon was blunt about his efficiency however upbeat in regards to the state of his proper hamstring — it would as nicely be the state of the union for the Nuggets — whereas reflecting on a 1-for-7 taking pictures evening Friday. It was alleged to the power forward’s triumphant return after lacking 17 consecutive video games with a reaggravated hamstring pressure. Instead, it was Denver’s worst residence loss in franchise historical past, a 142-103 smackdown by the Knicks at Ball Arena.

Consider Gordon unfazed.

“I’ve gotta stay on top of it. But I play without worry,” he mentioned when requested in regards to the threat of re-injury. “When you’re worried about an injury out there, that’s usually when it happens. So I feel great. My body feels good. It’s just the timing and the pace of the game that needs to come back to me now, but I feel good.”

Gordon returned from the harm for 10 video games in January, just for it to emerge once more throughout a recreation in Milwaukee. He was welcomed again by a rousing ovation Friday at Ball Arena. He performed 21 minutes within the loss, amassing three factors, three rebounds and three assists. His taking part in time will stay restricted for now.

“It’s fun. I’m grateful to be able to play this game and be out there and express myself through the game that I love to play,” Gordon mentioned, “and to be out there with the fellas. So win, lose or draw, I have gratitude. Obviously, it’s better to come out with a win, and that’s what I’m looking for day in and day out. But I’m grateful to just play the game.”

His second recreation again may require a step up in pace and physicality. The Nuggets will go to Oklahoma City on Monday for a rematch of their chippy overtime affair with the Thunder 10 days earlier. Gordon continues to be taking pictures 39% from the 3-point line this season, however he thinks there is perhaps one thing to the notion that he was out of rhythm Friday partially as a result of his conditioning was in catch-up mode.

“Anybody in the league can make shots when there’s no cardio involved, when no one’s tired,” he mentioned. “But as soon as you start running up and down, it gets a little bit harder to make shots and be in the right place at the right time. But I’m not here to make excuses. I played bad (against the Knicks). And I know that affected us losing the game.”

The Nuggets are 17-7 when Gordon fits up this season. They’re 12-4 when he performs 25 or extra minutes, with three of these losses by one-score margins and all 4 of them by single digits.

“Aaron was on an emotional high, but he’s still trying to find a rhythm in a real game,” coach David Adelman mentioned. “… When (Nikola) Jokic came back, he was trying to find his rhythm. Even him. So it’s part of the whole thing. But regardless of how we lost or whatever it is, it’s good to have him back.”

In the meantime, Gordon pinpointed the timing of his pregame routine when requested if there are any methods he’s implementing in an try to forestall extra well being issues for the remaining of the season.

“I’m getting to the gym earlier,” he mentioned. “Much, much earlier. Warming up more diligently.”