Amidst mounting injuries, Aaron Gordon highlights Adelman's precise energy and balance.
The Denver Nuggets have faced a brutal stretch of injuries this season, but veteran forward Aaron Gordon believes the team's success starts with head coach David Adelman and his ability to set the right tone before each game.
"I think DA (David Adelman) instills a good amount of energy before the game," Gordon said. "He understands where the level is. He knows not to overhype it or undersell it."
Finding Balance in a Difficult Season
That balance has been critical for a Nuggets team that currently sits at 28-13 and holds the third seed in the Western Conference despite missing key players for significant stretches.
Nikola Jokic has been sidelined since late December with a knee injury, and the team has also been without Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and at various times both Gordon and Christian Braun.
Adelman, who was hired as the Nuggets' full-time head coach in May 2025 after impressing during an interim stint in the playoffs, has kept the team competitive throughout the adversity.
The 43-year-old son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman has leaned on his years as an assistant in Denver to build trust with his players and help them navigate the difficult stretch.
Gordon and Murray Stepping Up
Gordon has been a key piece of the puzzle when healthy, averaging 18.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game this season.
He recently returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out for 19 games and has been working his way back into the rotation alongside Braun, who missed 23 games with an ankle sprain.
With Jokic sidelined, Jamal Murray has taken on a larger role and thrived, putting up 25.8 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game this season.
The Nuggets are 5-3 since losing their three-time MVP, and Murray has been instrumental in keeping Denver afloat with multiple 30-point performances.
Adelman's Approach Paying Dividends
The first-year head coach has shown a willingness to adapt his rotations and trust his depth, with players like Peyton Watson, Jalen Pickett, and Zeke Nnaji all stepping into larger roles during the injury stretch.
Watson recently earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors after averaging 24.7 points per game in January.
Gordon's praise of Adelman speaks to the culture the young coach has established in his first full season.
The Nuggets have won four of their last five games and remain firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture as they await Jokic's return, which could come by the end of January.
Denver hosts Washington on Saturday as they continue their push toward the postseason.