After experiencing a freakish accident on Christmas day, Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon displayed resilience by returning to his team’s practice. In an unusual turn of events, a family dog bit him, causing injuries to his right shooting hand and face that required about 21 stitches.
Initially expected to be sidelined for a brief period, no definite timeline for Aaron Gordon’s return was stated. However, the Nuggets remained optimistic about a swift comeback for the 28-year-old. True to their optimism, Gordon defied expectations by making a speedy return yesterday, missing just two games before rejoining the team.
Upon his return, the Nuggets players celebrated his return with the customary dog barks used to celebrate his success. Although veteran player DeAndre Jordan was not sure if it was too sudden to use the celebration due to the reason Gordon was out in the first place. DeAndre was overheard asking Gordon:
We can still do that, right? I don't want to give you PTSD.
In the ongoing season, Aaron Gordon has been a significant contributor for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. These impressive statistics have played a crucial role in the Nuggets’ standing as the third-seeded team in the competitive Western Conference.
Aaron Gordon’s bizarre accident on Christmas Day
Aaron Gordon missed the last two Denver Nuggets games after being bitten by his family dog on Christmas. This led to the Nuggets releasing a statement that he “is in good condition.” However, the team did not announce any concrete timeline for his return, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
When asked about the incident, Aaron Gordon said:
I was messing around with my dog, and when you mess around, you find out. It's such a fluke, silly injury. He's a good boy. He's a good dog.
Nuggets coach, Michael Malone also had this to say about the incident:
He's hanging in there. Obviously, a very traumatic experience and the most important thing I told him is that you take as much time as you need. We're a family, wins, losses, and when people go through tough times like Aaron's going through right now. We have his back. We love him. We're here for him. So whenever he's able to come back, we're going to open our arms up and embrace him.
With Aaron Gordon back in training on Sunday, there is hope that the Nuggets won’t be without him for an extended period. However, his availability for the upcoming game against the Charlotte Hornets remains uncertain, casting a shadow of doubt over how fit he is, at the moment.
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