![\"Denver](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26097777325909-1024x683.jpg\")
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard De\u2019aaron Fox (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\nOne of the NBA\u2019s most dynamic characters is ready to display his range on basketball\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n
Once the high-flying star of an Orlando organization that played in five playoff games in six years, Aaron Gordon has become a big reason why the Nuggets have played in 61 playoff games in the five seasons since a trade that forced the 30-year-old to evolve. He can still elevate for a highlight slam, as evidenced by his inclusion in the NBA\u2019s top-10 dunks of the season, but he\u2019s become so much more in Denver.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can just morph into whatever is needed that night,\u201d Nuggets coach David Adelman said Wednesday ahead of Denver\u2019s first-round series against Minnesota that starts Saturday afternoon at Ball Arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever he needs to be that night, he can do it. He can go get you 25 points and make 3s. He can guard, and he can defensive rebound at a high level. He\u2019s a great offensive rebounder.\u201d<\/p>\n
Julius Randle, a bruising forward, is the most logical matchup for Gordon to pick up to start Game 1. If Anthony Edwards gets going, Gordon is ready to help on Minnesota\u2019s explosive star.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole series, it\u2019s just going to be a battle. I\u2019m ready for the competitiveness,\u201d Gordon said Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou study their tendencies, go over the scouting report, watch a lot of film, understand what they like and what don\u2019t like, what they\u2019re trying to get to, make it difficult for them. (They\u2019re) two really, really good players. You just got to make it tough for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard De\u2019aaron Fox (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n
The 3-point shot is the most obvious evolution of Gordon\u2019s game. He\u2019s improved from a 32% shooter in Orlando to a 35% shooter in Denver. Last season, he shot a career-best 43.6% from deep. He finished this regular season at 38.9%, the second-best mark of his career. Gordon showed what he could do when left open in Denver\u2019s first game of the regular season, dropping a career-high 50 points on a 10-for-11 mark from 3-point range against the Warriors, another career-high.<\/p>\n
In Nikola Jokic\u2019s eyes, there are few players as qualified to provide exactly what the Nuggets will need to have success against the Timberwolves.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s probably one of the top five defensive players. He can guard multiple positions,\u201d Jokic said Wednesday. \u201cHe\u2019s really good in our offensive sets and offensive system. He\u2019s always in the right spot, and his ability to shoot the ball is definitely putting him (in a spot where) he\u2019s really, really, really important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the shooting and defensive versatility, there\u2019s the ability to initiate the offense when Jamal Murray is being pressured full court. Minnesota has dispatched Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on Murray in previous postseasons. Alexander-Walker is no longer in Minnesota, but Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo could be used in similar ways. Gordon\u2019s ball-handling isn\u2019t just steady. Sometimes it\u2019s spectacular. The series of crossovers he used against Buddy Hield to set up one of the dunks of the season ranked second on the NBA\u2019s list of \u201ctop five handles\u201d of the regular season.<\/p>\n
![\"Minnesota](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP25320081245285-1024x683.jpg\")
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo\/Abbie Parr)<\/p>\n
That move came in Denver\u2019s win over the Warriors on Nov. 7. A couple of weeks later, Gordon was sidelined for more than a month with the first of two hamstring strains. Less than a month later, he was back on the shelf for roughly six weeks with the second strain. The Nuggets were cautious with his minutes and held him out of the final two games of the regular season. Still, he played 35 minutes in an overtime loss to the Lakers in March and played 41 impactful minutes in Denver\u2019s overtime win over the Spurs on April 4.<\/p>\n
The minutes restriction appears to be a thing of the past to start the playoffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAaron is a major reason why we\u2019ve won so many games here over these years. He\u2019s a major reason why we have a banner hanging up there,\u201d Adelman said. \u201cI\u2019m really excited to have Aaron full-go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gordon was the reason the Nuggets won two of their playoff games a season ago. He turned a Jokic airball into a game-winning, buzzer-beating dunk in Game 4 to even Denver\u2019s first-round series against the Clippers. In Game 1 in the second-round series against the Thunder, he buried another game-winner, this one a 3-pointer from the left wing. He doesn\u2019t spend much time reminiscing on some of the biggest moments of his 12-year career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI kind of let them go,\u201d Gordon said. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to making more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s defending multiple positions, hitting the glass, running the offense, knocking down shots from the perimeter and giving Jokic a lob threat in the dunker\u2019s spot, Gordon knows his job requirements to get the Nuggets back to where they want to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just what they\u2019ve always needed from me, and it\u2019s just being myself,\u201d Gordon said. \u201cJust being me to the fullest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
<\/p>\n