At a Glance
- Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun return to Denver after injury
- Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas out with injuries
- Nuggets aim to survive injury slump
- Why it matters: The Nuggets face a severe roster shortage as key players sit out, making every return vital for their playoff push.
Denver’s NBA roster has been hit hard by injuries, but Sunday saw two key players return to the floor. Aaron Gordon, after a 19-game absence, scored 20 points, while Christian Braun re-entered the lineup after a 23-game injury list. Their comeback comes as star center Nikola Jokic and forward Jonas Valanciunas remain sidelined.
Gordon and Braun Back
Both players were cleared to play after testing themselves during warm-ups, according to coach David Adelman. Aaron Gordon entered the game off the bench and finished with 20 points, while Christian Braun, who had started the season, added 3 points in 24 minutes.
David Adelman said:
> “We’ve had a good 48 hours, those two guys. Thank God,”
David Adelman added:
> “So we could use the bodies.”
Jamal Murray said:
> “It’s good to see guys back,”
Injury Landscape
The Nuggets’ injury list has deepened, with Nikola Jokic hyper-extended his left knee and is expected to miss at least four weeks. Jonas Valanciunas strained his right calf after his first start post-injury and could be out for a month. The team has also lost veteran forward Jonas Valanciunas and is now looking to survive the month.
- Nikola Jokic – knee injury, out 4+ weeks
- Jonas Valanciunas – calf strain, out ~1 month
- Christian Braun – left ankle sprain, 23-game absence
- Aaron Gordon – right hamstring strain, 19-game absence
Player Stats
| Player | Minutes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Gordon | 21 | 20 |
| Christian Braun | 24 | 3 |
Nets Update
Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. returned from a two-game illness absence to score 27 points against the team he helped lead to the 2023 NBA championship. Cam Johnson remains sidelined with a right knee injury.
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are back, providing much-needed depth.
- Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas are still out, leaving Denver in survival mode.
- The Nuggets’ roster is still thin, but the return of two starters offers a glimmer of hope.
With Gordon and Braun back, the Nuggets have a glimmer of stability, but the lingering absence of Jokic and Valanciunas keeps the team in survival mode as they battle through a tough injury slump.
