The Denver Nuggets are hopeful to improve their injury situation as they prepare for a critical phase with 20 regular-season games remaining. The team has struggled to field a fully healthy roster since early in the season, notably missing forward Aaron Gordon, who has been sidelined for 16 consecutive games due to a hamstring strain. Gordon is now targeting a comeback for Denver’s Friday game against the New York Knicks, though final clearance is pending from the Nuggets’ medical staff.
Sam Amick of The Athletic highlighted the cautious optimism surrounding Gordon’s return, noting,
“Per a league source close to Gordon, the veteran forward — who re-aggravated his right hamstring injury on Jan. 23 — is targeting a return in Friday’s home game against the New York Knicks. It remains to be seen if he’ll get the necessary clearance from the Nuggets, who are being understandably cautious here in light of the setback he suffered six weeks ago,”
Amick reported.
Impact of Aaron Gordon’s Potential Return on Denver’s Season
At 30 years old, Gordon began the 2025-26 season with remarkable performances, including a historic 50-point game featuring extraordinary shooting efficiency. Despite this strong start, his season has been marred by injuries, including an extended hamstring injury that kept him off the court through December. After a brief return, he suffered a re-injury, causing him to miss a total of 37 games this year. His absence has affected Denver’s competitiveness, as evidenced by their 7-9 record over the 16 games without him, with just a single win against current playoff teams.
Gordon’s presence in key matchups would have made a significant difference, particularly against strong opponents. His return is essential not simply for immediate wins but to ensure he regains full form ahead of the playoffs, where Denver aims to make a deep run.
Strength of Denver’s Core Trio and the Role Gordon Plays
While Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray often receive All-Star recognition, Aaron Gordon is an equally important contributor to the Nuggets. Together, this trio has already made NBA history by each scoring 50 points within the first 21 games of the season—a milestone never achieved by teammates so early in a campaign.
The effectiveness of this group is underscored by their net rating of +23.5 when sharing the court, making them the Nuggets’ most impactful lineup. Their combined impact surpasses notable trios from other franchises such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons, who maintain ratings near +14.1 and +13.4 respectively.
Outlook for Denver’s Championship Aspirations with Returning Players
The expected return of Aaron Gordon, along with fellow hamstring-injured player Peyton Watson, is crucial as Denver seeks to regain momentum. The Nuggets have yet to display the form that fans expected at this stage, but getting these key players back could substantially increase their postseason viability.
Fans eagerly anticipate seeing Gordon back on the court Friday against the Knicks, though whether he is fully cleared remains uncertain. Regardless, his imminent return signals a potential turning point for a team striving to maximize its championship potential before the playoffs intensify.
⚒️ DENVER TRIO MAKES HISTORY ⚒️
Aaron Gordon – 50 PTS (10/23/25)
Nikola Jokić – 55 PTS (11/12/25)
Jamal Murray – 52 PTS (12/3/25)Tonight marks the first time in NBA history that three teammates have each recorded a 50-point game within a team’s first 21 games of a season ‼️ pic.twitter.com/werR5YLT3b
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2025
