The Denver Nuggets have a mountain to climb if they are to salvage their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. If they don’t do that, they will be staring at a daunting elimination scenario this early.
Trailing 3-1 after a deflating 112-96 loss in Game 4 on Saturday, Denver must win at home court on Monday night to extend the series and keep their season alive.
The Nuggets couldn’t take advantage of Anthony Edwards going down in the first half as they fell to 43-point heroics from bench player Ayo Dosunmu. Heading into Game 5, the team news from the Nuggets camp isn’t all certain regarding Aaron Gordon.
Aaron Gordon’s Status in Doubt for Game 5
Gordon has been managing himself all through this first round series. He only missed Game 3 but returned and played 23 minutes in Game 4. He was visibly limited, scoring nine points, one rebound, and one block on inefficient 4-of-11 shooting.
GettyDENVER, CO – APRIL 4: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots and misses a shot as the clock winds down with the game tied against Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on April 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
However, via ESPN’s Shams Charania, the latest update on Denver’s versatile forward is concerning ahead of Game 5.
“I’m told he’s expected to be out tonight,” Charania said. “He wants to play, I think the team is going to have to protect him from himself.”
Gordon is officially with the “questionable” tag ahead of tonight’s Game 5. Left calf tightness is the lingering issue for the 30-year-old superstar.
The Nuggets will likely err on the side of caution. Gordon has pushed through pain before, but with the series on the line and his mobility compromised, forcing him into action may risk re-injury. Head coach David Adelman and the Nuggets medical staff will have to make the tough call.
Gordon has battled with lower-body muscle problems throughout his career, particularly in the playoffs.
Last year, he dealt with a significant hamstring injury ahead of Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the eventual NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was initially listed as a doubt for that game after suffering the injury in Game 6, however, Gordon played 25 minutes in the final game.
This time however, it is unlikely that the Nuggets will risk everything seeing how their star forward has struggled all year to stay healthy.
A Challenging Season for Gordon
Gordon played just 36 games in the regular season, his lowest full-season number since he joined Denver in 2021. No thanks to hamstring and calf issues that have contributed to his reduced minutes and inconsistent availability.
Gordon is one of the veteran presences in the team and is their emotional leader. He is still part of the core that delivered the title in 2023 alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t want to be left out in a do-or-die series game. However, the important question is about his long-term health as he enters the later stages of his prime.
The Nuggets will now have to rely on Jokic and Murray to turn the series around and potentially force a Game 7 which is the only way they progress to the next round.
Game 5 tips off tonight at the Ball Arena with the Nuggets fighting for their playoff lives as the Timberwolves look to end the series.
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