Aaron Gordon Discusses Minutes Restriction After Nuggets Loss to Hawks

The Denver Nuggets are trying to find their rhythm without their franchise cornerstone, and Aaron Gordon knows he's still working his way back to full strength after missing six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Following Friday night's 110-87 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Ball Arena, Gordon opened up about the challenge of managing his minutes restriction while the team desperately needs healthy bodies on the floor, and his comments revealed the mental adjustment that comes with easing back into game action after a long absence.

"I'm just trying to figure out the flow of my minutes, you know?" Gordon said after the game, acknowledging the unusual rhythm that comes with being on a careful workload. "It's a longer halftime for me right now."

The veteran forward played 24 minutes off the bench against Atlanta, his highest total since returning from the right hamstring strain that sidelined him for 19 games, but it's clear that head coach David Adelman is being cautious with his return to avoid any setbacks.

Gordon has now played just three games since coming back, and while he's shown flashes of his usual versatility, the minutes restriction is forcing him to adjust his approach and find ways to stay engaged when he's watching from the sideline during extended stretches.

Against the Hawks, Gordon contributed modest numbers as the Nuggets struggled offensively without Nikola Jokic, who remains out with a hyperextended left knee that will keep him sidelined for at least four weeks from when the injury occurred.

Gordon has been a bright spot when healthy this season, currently averaging 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting an efficient 52.5 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three-point range with 2.0 treys per contest, numbers that showcase his improved offensive game and his ability to space the floor for Denver's offense.

The Nuggets coaching staff has intentionally kept Gordon coming off the bench to manage his workload better, which allows them to backload his minutes and ensure he's available to close out tight games if needed.

Adelman explained that starting him would mean longer gaps between playing time, which isn't ideal for someone still working through the aftermath of a Grade 2 hamstring strain that typically requires careful load management to prevent re-injury.

The loss dropped Denver to 25-13 on the season, and they now sit third in the Western Conference standings as they try to weather the storm of injuries that have hit their roster hard.

Without Jokic, who was averaging a staggering 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game before going down, the Nuggets have had to rely heavily on Jamal Murray to orchestrate the offense and Gordon's return has been timely even if he's not yet at full capacity.

Since Jokic suffered the knee injury on December 29 against the Miami Heat, Denver has posted a 5-5 record over their last 10 games and managed to pick up impressive wins against top Eastern Conference teams like Philadelphia and Boston despite missing key players.

The team has shown resilience and depth during this difficult stretch, with role players stepping up in big moments, but Friday's blowout loss to Atlanta revealed just how much the Nuggets miss their three-time MVP anchor when the offense bogs down and the defense can't get stops.

Gordon's measured return is part of Denver's survival strategy as they try to keep themselves in playoff position until Jokic can return, hopefully around the end of January.

For now, the veteran forward is embracing his role and working through the adjustment period, knowing that the Nuggets will need him at his best when the games matter most down the stretch.