May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) celebrates the win over the LA Clippers following game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nuggets Coach's Heartfelt Message to Aaron Gordon After Playoff Elimination

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI | By Grant Mona | Last updated May 18, 2025 7:20 PM ET

Aaron Gordon came up limping late in Denver's Game 6 victory at home to force a Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday. With the Nuggets already thin on depth, there was huge concern on the Denver side on if Gordon could even attempt to play.

In only 24 minutes, Gordon had 8 points and 11 rebounds while clearly being hampered by his hamstring injury. Gordon was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of his hamstring before the game, which was reported to take up to one month to recover from if the Nuggets did win Game 7.

Aaron Gordon is moving pretty well in his usual pregame warmup pic.twitter.com/YUcLSpWKtp
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) May 18, 2025

But he suited up and gave it a go, with very limited movements, and provided some quality minutes. After the blowout loss to end the Nuggets' season, head coach David Adelman had some heartfelt words about his star forward.

“Aaron Gordon is incredible. What he played with today — I don’t know many people that would even attempt to go out there," Adleman said about Gordon.

He continued to say, "That was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen.”

Team 26: The Denver Nuggetshttps://t.co/d5wRSm0GaN pic.twitter.com/g6A8FkDTIz
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 18, 2025

The Nuggets desperately needed help outside of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, and Gordon stepped up throughout the entirety of their playoff run. With two game-winners in the span of two series, Gordon earned the respect from his head coach for even attempting to play on such a limiting injury.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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