The Denver Nuggets received encouraging news on Tuesday when head coach David Adelman shared a positive update on Aaron Gordon’s recovery, a critical development during a challenging injury-filled period for the team. Gordon has returned to moving at game speed and is taking part in situational drills as Denver aims to strengthen its roster for the upcoming postseason.
Adelman highlighted Gordon’s involvement after practice, stating,
“He got up and down (the court). We did some situational defensive drills. He was a part of that,”
according to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.
“But it’s just gonna be a day-by-day thing. … Aaron’s been great. He’s understood the process.”
Potential Early Returns for Key Nuggets Contributors
While Adelman avoided confirming an exact comeback date for Gordon, he suggested that both Gordon and Peyton Watson might rejoin the team sooner than initially anticipated.
“My hope is that we get the full group back with 20 games to go,”
Adelman remarked. Denver’s schedule includes 24 games remaining, starting with Wednesday’s game against the Boston Celtics, making the return of these key players highly relevant for the playoff push.
Gordon’s absence stretches back to January 23, when he aggravated a right hamstring strain during a narrow loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. This injury setback followed his earlier month-long hiatus stemming from a Grade 2 hamstring strain sustained on November 21 against Houston.
Concerns Grow Over Aaron Gordon’s Injury History and Durability
The recurrence of hamstring troubles has raised red flags considering Gordon’s recent health challenges. He also struggled with hamstring issues last postseason, leading to ongoing worries about his durability as Denver looks to protect its championship core.
When healthy, Gordon is among the Nuggets’ most essential players, known for his defensive versatility, strong finishes near the basket, and leadership presence alongside superstar Nikola Jokić.
Peyton Watson’s Injury Interrupts His Breakthrough Performance
Peyton Watson’s campaign has been hindered by a left hamstring strain that forced him out on February 4 during a double-overtime defeat to the New York Knicks. This pause is especially disappointing as Watson had been showcasing significant improvement since January, averaging 21.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and contributing defensively with 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game during that stretch.
The 22-year-old’s emergence supplied Denver with a needed boost of athleticism and perimeter defense amidst a roster depleted by injuries.
Nikola Jokić Faces Ongoing Wrist Injury Amid Crucial Season Stretch
Complicating Denver’s injury situation is an issue affecting Nikola Jokić. According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, the reigning Finals MVP has been managing a wrist and hand injury since the Nuggets’ February 19 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Spears noted on NBA Today,
“Certainly not quite himself, but if he misses a couple more games, he’s not going to be available for awards.”
Adding to the pressure, Spears mentioned,
“They’ve got other injuries like Aaron Gordon, who they hope to have back this weekend.”
Jokić’s health is now a critical factor in both Denver’s playoff hopes and his personal aspirations for postseason awards.
Jokić’s Perseverance Shines Despite Pain
Despite the ongoing injury challenges, Jokić has demonstrated remarkable resilience. On Sunday, he recorded a 35-point, 20-rebound, and 12-assist triple-double, yet the Nuggets fell 128–117 to a Golden State Warriors team missing notable stars such as Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porziņģis. This contest highlighted both Jokić’s elite performance and the team’s struggles.
After missing time earlier due to a knee injury, Jokić returned on January 30 and has played consistently since. Marc Spears observed,
“I think he’s also putting pressure on himself to be in a Nuggets uniform, keep them afloat. I think he’s going to fight through this injury and keep playing.”
This season, Jokić is posting impressive MVP-caliber statistics, averaging 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists while shooting 58 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range under increasingly difficult circumstances.
Health Remains Pivotal as Denver Approaches Crucial Stretch
As Denver prepares for the postseason, the team’s ability to succeed depends heavily on regaining and maintaining health. The progress shown by Aaron Gordon, combined with the potential return of Peyton Watson, offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise injury-marred campaign. Still, with Jokić playing through pain and the standings tightening, the Nuggets’ championship chances hang on whether their key players can fully recover and remain available as the season reaches its climax.
Aaron Gordon “did basically everything but the contact stuff” in practice today. “He got up and down with script. We did some situational defensive drills. He was a part of that. But it’s just gonna be a day-by-day thing. … Aaron’s been great. He’s understood the process.”
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) February 24, 2026
