The Denver Nuggets’ challenging start to the season has only worsened, adding to their struggle to find momentum. Already dealing with Jamal Murray’s concussion issues, the team suffered another setback when Aaron Gordon left their game against the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, exiting at 7:44 in the first quarter.
According to ClutchPoints reporter Rachel Strand, Gordon appeared to be favoring his leg and then went to the locker room accompanied by a trainer. The team later announced on their X account that the 29-year-old forward would not return to the game due to a calf strain.
Gordon had already been listed on the injury report before the game due to a right knee contusion and right calf inflammation. It appeared he aggravated his right leg about two plays before being taken out.
To fill Gordon’s spot, the Nuggets turned to Peyton Watson, aiming to maintain some of the athleticism needed in their frontcourt alongside Nikola Jokic. However, Gordon’s contributions as a versatile “glue guy” are difficult to replace. Since joining the team in 2021, he has significantly bolstered the Nuggets’ performance.
At the start of the 2024-25 season, Gordon had been a standout for Denver, stepping up his scoring following the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Before Monday’s game, he was averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting an impressive 55 percent from three-point range.
With Murray already sidelined, the Nuggets can hardly afford to lose another core player. Their roster depth is already thin, and calling on a bench player to step up in Gordon’s potential absence could further strain the team.
The Nuggets now face the challenge of adapting to these injuries. They could opt for an offensive-heavy approach, bringing in Julian Strawther to cover most of Gordon’s minutes for added spacing, or continue using Peyton Watson as they did early in the game against the Raptors.
However, each choice has its downsides. Watson’s shooting has been shaky so far this season, and Denver is already struggling with half-court offense. A lineup featuring Russell Westbrook, Christian Braun, and Watson could allow opponents to clog the paint with little risk.
Alternatively, Strawther’s inclusion could compromise their perimeter defense. Despite these limitations, coach Michael Malone may need to make tough decisions due to the team’s current roster constraints. He likely hopes Watson’s shooting will improve, as sustaining a 10 percent shooting rate from deep is unlikely over the season.
