Nuggets rule out Aaron Gordon for elimination Recreation 5 vs. Timberwolves, who can be with out Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo
DENVER — The Denver Nuggets can be with out a key piece whereas going through elimination Monday night time.
Aaron Gordon has been dominated out for Recreation 5 in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves with calf tightness. The Nuggets introduced his standing after pregame warmups. Gordon was beforehand listed as questionable and ended up as a real game-time determination.
Commercial
Gordon sustained the harm in Recreation 2 of the sequence and missed Recreation 3. He returned to play restricted minutes in Recreation 4 Saturday, however gained’t have the ability to play on Monday.
“This has been a crushing second for him to have this occur two years in a row.,” head coach David Adelman mentioned in his pregame information convention. “Clearly he wasn’t himself the opposite night time and nonetheless gave us respectable minutes within the first half. I assumed his physique began to interrupt down a bit within the second half. “
The Nuggets gained Recreation 1 with Gordon within the lineup, however have since misplaced three straight because the Timberwolves have taken a 3-1 sequence lead.
Gordon is arguably Denver’s third-most vital participant behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and All-Star Jamal Murray. A flexible massive who can stretch the ground and end on the rim, Gordon averaged 16.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds and a pair of.7 assists whereas taking pictures 49.7% from the sector and 38.9% on 4.4 3-point makes an attempt per sport throughout the common season.
Commercial
Gordon’s absence will additional take a look at an already skinny Denver bench that’s been shortened for the reason that begin of the playoffs. With Gordon out for Recreation 3, second-year reserve Spencer Jones stepped into the beginning lineup. He posted six factors in 23 minutes of a 113-96 Timberwolves win.
With the Nuggets going through elimination, Adelman mentioned pregame that Recreation 5 can be “all palms on deck.”
Timberwolves down 2 starters, together with All-Star Anthony Edwards
The Timberwolves can be considerably shorthanded with an opportunity to shut out the sequence. Beginning guard Donte DiVincenzo sustained a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Recreation 4. Throughout the identical sport, All-Star Anthony Edwards sustained a hyperextended knee and bone bruise. The Timberwolves confirmed earlier Monday that Edwards is taken into account week-to-week together with his harm.
Commercial
Minnesota rallied late to beat Denver in Recreation 4 regardless of these accidents. The Timberwolves will hope for the same effort Monday night time in Denver with an opportunity to safe a spot within the second spherical of the playoffs.
