Aaron Gordon is on fire. 7-of-7 from three in the first half, 25 points by halftime, and the Denver Nuggets holding a 70-61 lead over the Golden State Warriors. But what’s fueling this streak? ESPN’s Malika Andrews got the scoop straight from Gordon himself. Off a hamstring setback that hampered him last postseason, Gordon’s offseason was anything but ordinary.

Because who starts a season like this? Gordon’s game has never looked cleaner, and his confidence has never been higher. However, there’s something beneath the stat line that caught ESPN’s Malika Andrews’ attention, and her reporting may have just provided the missing piece of the puzzle. As she reported, Gordon said, “Aaron Gordon told me, Dave, that he feels like he’s had one of the best off-seasons of his career.”

She added, “Remember, he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the playoffs, and it really hampered him.” But his secret isn’t just training—it’s major lifestyle changes. His living room is now a mini gym with a regulation hoop. “It has a regulation basketball hoop, so he can roll out of bed, maybe after he takes a nap, and he can go get some shots up,” Andrews explained. “He’s really felt that has elevated his game here, Dave.”

It turns out, Gordon’s secret wasn’t a new trainer or shooting coach, but proximity. He literally built his recovery around muscle memory—rolling out of bed to shoot, shooting during lunch, and even shooting while watching film. The consistency paid off. Gordon finished the night with a career-high 50 points on 17-of-21 shooting, including an impressive 10-of-11 from three-point range.

It’s the most efficient 50-point game in Nuggets history and one of the most accurate in NBA history by true shooting percentage. So much so that even Stephen Curry took notice.

Curry said of Gordon’s performance against the Warriors: “Ridiculous. Whatever he did this summer, it worked.” And indeed, Gordon’s shooting growth has been building toward this moment. Last season, he hit 43.6% from three in 51 regular-season games- a significant improvement from his earlier years in Orlando, when he struggled to break the low 30s. What’s changed?

His shot selection, rhythm, and overall comfort within Denver’s offense. With Nikola Jokic drawing defensive attention, Gordon’s opportunities are cleaner, and his confidence is infectious. Meanwhile, the Nuggets’ offense continues to thrive, fueled by strong frontcourt chemistry.

How Aaron Gordon has proven to be an asset for the Nuggets

Jokic recorded another triple-double, tallying 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray contributed 25 points and 10 assists of his own. It’s the balance Denver’s front office envisioned when they secured Gordon with a four-year, $133 million contract extension in 2024. Nights like these make that contract look like a steal.

And yet, for all his brilliance, the night ended in heartbreak. Stephen Curry dropped 42 points, including a wild game-tying three with 21.9 seconds left to force overtime. Golden State went on to win 137-131, but even in defeat, Gordon stole the headlines.

His 50-point performance marked a career high, set a franchise record for three-pointers in a half, and served as an early warning to the rest of the league that Denver’s third option can single-handedly change the course of a game.

Top Stories

Are Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero Playing Tonight? Magic vs. Heat Latest Injury Report (Dec. 9)

Sophie Cunningham Dethrones Caitlin Clark in Major New Development

LeBron James’ Agent Rich Paul Sends Clear Trade Message to 29 NBA Teams

Are Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson Playing Tonight? Knicks vs. Raptors Latest Injury Report (Dec. 9)

Reebok Announces Major Angel Reese Decision on Monday

For Gordon, who entered the league in 2014 with sky-high athletic expectations but struggled with inconsistency from beyond the arc, this feels like a full-circle moment. He’s no longer the highlight-reel dunker searching for a jumper- he’s now a complete forward anchoring a championship-caliber core.

Denver fans may have left the arena disappointed by the final score, but they witnessed a glimpse of what happens when resilience meets reinvention. Up next, the Nuggets face the Phoenix Suns in their home opener.

Another test and one more chance for Gordon to prove that this was not a one-night wild night, but the start of something even bigger.