Aaron Gordon rejected the expectation that the Oklahoma City Thunder would start with the Denver Nuggets’ decision maker.
Game 7 is when you leave everything on the line without regrets. Aaron Gordon simply walked into the courtroom and this led him to this.
Gordon was not expected to play after suffering a hamstring injury in Game 6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets Series.
However, after passing the warm-up, Gordon miraculously started for the Nugget, playing 35 minutes in a personal heroic effort, apparently physically limited in his actions.
Sadly, Aaron Gordon’s efforts were in vain and the Nuggets were blown away 125-93 by the West’s No. 1 seed.
Aaron Gordon opened the series as a hero for the Denver Nuggets and scored an epic game victory shot to steal victory in OKC in Game 1.
The late 3-pointer kept him at 22-point performance that he matched in Game 3. The injury meant he was not the same dynamic player in Game 7.
Gordon played with the heavy strap on his left foot, but not as shocking as he normally would.
Still, he still contributed with a box score, adding 8 points and leading the nuggets with 11 rebounds.
Gordon’s 11 rebounds were the highest in the court, matching 11 people from OKC’s Chetholmglen.
Denver sat him late in the game, but he was able to be proud of his 25 minutes of play, and coach David Adelman describes it as “one of the most incredible things he’s ever seen.”
Aaron Gordon’s performance in Game 7 may have been apparent, but in the context of his injury it was very impressive.
There is also another layer. That’s totally embarrassing Jackson Hayes’ contributions during the La Lakers series with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Hayes started his first four games before he was on the bench for the fifth time. Coach JJ Reddick wasn’t convinced, so he limited his playing time to 30 minutes, over four minutes.
Still, in these four games, Hayes had less influence than the injured Gordon managed in Game 7.
Hayes scored only seven points in total, less than Gordon managed.
He managed to grab eight rebounds. That’s three fewer than 11 Gordons among the Nuggets series deciders.
The numbers are credit to Gordon and his efforts, his mental and physical toughness.
They also prove to highlight JJ Redick’s concerns about Jaxson Hayes.