The Denver Nuggets just clawed their way to a massive Game 6 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 back in OKC! The Ball Arena was absolutely rocking as Nikola Jokic (29 points, 14 boards – just another day at the office for the Joker) and a surprisingly clutch Jamal Murray (25 points, battling illness!) willed their team to a 119-107 win. But just as Nuggets fans started to breathe a sigh of relief, a new wave of anxiety washed over them: Aaron Gordon, their defensive linchpin and athletic heart, went down late with what looked like a pretty concerning hamstring injury.

The scary moment happened with just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Gordon was bringing the ball up, and OKC’s Chet Holmgren poked it loose. As AG lunged for the ball, he came up visibly gimpy, immediately reaching for and rubbing his left hamstring. You could see the concern on his face, and he was noticeably slower for the nearly a minute he stayed in before Russell Westbrook finally subbed in for him with about 53 seconds on the clock.

For a player as tough as Gordon, seeing him hobble like that in a crucial playoff game is never a good sign. This isn’t the first time AG has battled through pain this season either. He had to fight against various ailments – calf issues in December, January, February, and March, mixed with multiple ankle problems in February and March.

After the game, Nuggets interim coach David Adelman didn’t exactly ease any fears. When asked about Gordon’s status, Adelman admitted the concern level for his starting forward was “high, obviously.” He noted the silver lining of having two full days off before Sunday’s Game 7 matinee in Oklahoma City, saying, “It’s nice to have two days to get guys right going into a Sunday matinee… We’ll see where he’s at.”

That “concern is so high” quote, though? That’s what stuck with fans, especially considering Gordon has already pushed through so much this year. The thought of facing a do-or-die Game 7 without AG – who, despite a quiet scoring night in Game 6 (just 5 points, though he had 7 boards and 7 assists), is vital – against a young, hungry Thunder team is a nightmare scenario for the Denver faithful.

But then, just as the worry started to really set in, Aaron Gordon himself chimed in, and his message was a whole lot different. Tim MacMahon tweeted what Aaron said: “I feel OK. We’ll see. I’m going to start the recovery process now and make sure I’m getting ready for Game 7.”

That’s a pretty direct refutation, or at least a significant downplaying, of his coach’s more alarming assessment. Aaron spoke that every Nuggets fan wanted to hear, a clear signal that AG has every intention of being out there for the biggest game of their season. This sets up a fascinating couple of days: whose assessment is closer to reality, and will Gordon truly be ready to go full tilt in what promises to be an absolute war in OKC?

Denver’s x-factor? It’s always been Aaron Gordon.

That Game 6 win was very important for the Nuggets. This team, with their backs slammed against the wall, showed the heart of a champion. Jamal Murray was playing through illness. At times, he could barely stand during timeouts, but he still dropped 25 clutch points. That’s playoff grit.

And as Murray himself said post-Game 5, even when down 3-2, his confidence in forcing a Game 7 was sky-high: “Very confident. I always am.” That belief, that refusal to bow down, is what defines this Denver team, and it’s why they’re heading to a Game 7.

But let’s be real, a massive part of that championship DNA, that toughness, is Aaron Gordon. Coach Adelman wasn’t exaggerating when he said AG is “a reason we’ve won games and won series and have a banner hanging up in there.” His stat line in Game 6 might not jump off the page, but his fingerprints are all over this team’s success.

He’s the guy making the game-winning three in Game 1 against OKC, the buzzer-beating putback dunk against the Clippers. He’s the defensive stalwart tasked with shutting down the opponent’s biggest threats, a guy who, as Adelman noted, has “played through a lot through this whole season.”

Losing him, or even having a hobbled AG for Game 7, would be absolutely devastating. The Nuggets are already thin, and Gordon’s versatility on both ends is irreplaceable. He’s the athletic force, the guy who can guard multiple positions, attack the rim, and hit timely shots. With Michael Porter Jr. also nursing a shoulder injury, the offensive and defensive burden on Jokic and Murray becomes even heavier without a fully healthy Gordon. He is, as Jokic once perfectly put it, “the soul of this team… a glue guy.”

Dec 18, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) reacts with center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY SportsAnd that soul, that glue isn’t just an on-court persona – it’s who Aaron Gordon is. This is a man who, after the tragic death of his older brother Drew in May 2024, stepped up in an incredible way for his family. He helped move his nephews and sister-in-law to Denver so he could be there for them. He even brought his nephews to a post-game press conference earlier in the playoffs and they were present in the stands for game 6 as well.

When asked what advice he’d give his nephews, Gordon’s words were powerful: “It gets greater later, so stick with it. Be a demonstration of resilience.” That’s not just advice – that’s Aaron Gordon living his truth. He’s a demonstration of resilience every time he battles through an injury, every time he makes a crucial play, and every time he puts his family first. He doesn’t crave the spotlight, as Jokic noted, but he knows what he’s doing, and his impact is profound.

So, as the Nuggets head into a hostile environment in OKC for a do-or-die Game 7, the questions around AG’s hamstring are massive. His “I feel OK” is the warrior talking, the same man who has battled through a season full of nagging injuries and immense personal challenges. But hamstrings are tricky. The Nuggets need his defensive versatility against SGA, his athleticism, his timely cuts, and his sheer presence.

This series has been a war, and Game 7 will be the final battle. Hence, Aaron’s availability isn’t just a footnote, it could very well be the difference between advancing and a heartbreaking end to their season.