The Nuggets were never going to find their playoff stride until starting forward Aaron Gordon returned.
After initially being ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Clippers, Gordon was swiftly upgraded to available despite a left rib contusion that had given him problems for the last few weeks.
Asked about the upgrade prior to tipoff, Nuggets coach Michael Malone gasped sarcastically. Gordon took part in the team’s on-court walk-through on Sunday evening.
“It all comes down to, with that injury, his comfort level,” Malone said. Gordon, according to Malone, had been hit in the rib several times, which caused him significant pain.