Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets sat out of their Game 5 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a calf strain that has only become a growing issue over the course of the series.
While the Nuggets have the chance to extend the series in Game 6, the expectation is that they’ll be without Gordon once again, as based on the latest injury update and return timeline, his calf injury could keep him sidelined for the rest of the series.
Gordon has played in a total of three of the five games in the first round so far, but after missing Game 5, he doesn’t appear ready to get back on the court for Denver.
Aaron Gordon Injury Return Update
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 21: Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets exits the game due to injury in the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on November 21, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
While Gordon was originally questionable for Game 5, he was ruled out before tipoff. That comes after he missed Game 3, and was sidelined for a big stretch in Game 4 with the calf strain.
Now, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Nuggets don’t expect to have him in Game 6, which is another must-win matchup against the Timberwolves.
“It’s a pretty bad calf strain that Aaron Gordon is dealing with,” Charania said on ESPN’s Get Up morning show. “The Nuggets sat him out of Game 5. I’m told they are preparing to be without him for Game 6. And a lot of it is protecting him from himself…Aaron Gordon, I think (the Nuggets) preparation, is for him to be out.”
The insider also mentioned that Gordon has a history of playing through leg injuries, as seen in the 2025 Playoffs, but at this point in Denver’s current postseason run, they don’t want to risk anything more serious happening to their star forward and arguably most important defender.
After Game 5, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said he had ‘no idea’ if Gordon would be able to play in the following matchup. For now, an injury return remains uncertain, but based on Charania’s reporting, it appears Denver could face the likely scenario that he’ll be out once again.
Peyton Watson Injury Update As Nuggets Force Game 6
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 22: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Along with missing Gordon, the Nuggets still have breakout wing Peyton Watson on the injury report, as he has missed the past four weeks with a hamstring strain.
Watson hasn’t played in this first round against Minnesota, and his injury status has remained ‘out’ through the first five games of the series.
While Adelman wasn’t certain about Gordon’s status for Game 6, he reiterated that same point about Watson.
“Nuggets coach David Adelman said he has ‘no idea’ if either Aaron Gordon or Peyton Watson can get back in time for Game 6 on Thursday night. Extra day off between games. He said Denver will prepare as if both wings remain out,” insider Anthony Slater wrote in a post on X.
While Watson might not be as consistent and impactful a contributor for the Nuggets compared to Gordon, this season, he’s been key in their success, averaging a career-high 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds on 49.1% shooting, and they’ve missed him in their series against the Timberwolves.
For now, though they did win Game 5, Denver faces an uphill battle going back to Minnesota and saving itself from elimination. Nikola Jokic put in a much-needed strong performance, but without Gordon and Watson, a Game 6 victory won’t come easily on the road.
The Nuggets vs Timberwolves series continues with Game 6 on Thursday, April 30, with tipoff time still not yet set.
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