Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
Gordon looks healthy as Nuggets assess roles and lineup fit
The Denver Nuggets beat Chicago on Sunday, and forward Aaron Gordon had 25 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes.
Gordon played only 36 regular-season games last season and appeared in three playoff games because of injuries, but he now appears to be feeling better.
He says he has changed his game-day routine to allow more time for warming up and cooling down.
DeMar DeRozan, signed to score and create plays off the bench, has struggled to fit his isolation style into Denver’s offense in his first three preseason appearances.
The Nuggets also want their starters to spend more time playing together after injuries disrupted last season.
They are counting on Julian Strawther to take over the bench role held by Tim Hardaway Jr., while rookie Alpha Diallo hopes to bring his defensive skills to the NBA after five seasons in Europe.
These preseason performances matter as Denver works out how its players fit together and who will fill key roles.
Aaron Gordon scored 25 points in 23 minutes in the Nuggets’ preseason win over Chicago, appearing healthy after an injury-hit season.
Coach David Adelman said Gordon played confidently and with good pace.
Gordon said he has changed his game-day routine to spend more time preparing and warming up.
DeMar DeRozan has struggled to fit into Denver’s offense in his first three preseason appearances.
The Nuggets are looking to Julian Strawther to fill Tim Hardaway Jr.’s role with the bench unit.
- Who
- Aaron Gordon and the Denver Nuggets.
- What
- Gordon looked healthy in a preseason win, while the Nuggets assessed player roles and lineup fit.
- When
- Sunday. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The Nuggets want to build playing time together after injuries disrupted last season and are assessing how players fit their roles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I’m not a doctor, but it seems like he feels good.
It’s smoother. I feel better out there.
We’re obviously missing that. We’ve got to fill that void.
Whoever I’m assigned to guard at that time, if they don’t know who I am, then hopefully they’ll find out real soon.
Gordon played 36 regular-season games and three games in the first-round playoff loss.
DeMar DeRozan signed with Denver to provide scoring and playmaking off the bench.
Gordon scored 25 points and had six rebounds in 23 minutes against Chicago.
Hoops Rumors published its report on the Nuggets.
- Gordon vs. Chicago
- 25 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes
- Gordon shooting
- 9-of-12 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range
- Gordon last season
- 36 regular-season games and three first-round playoff games
- DeRozan
- Missed all four shots on Sunday and had made three preseason appearances
- Strawther’s expected role
- Take over Tim Hardaway Jr.’s role with the bench unit
Sources
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