In the electrifying atmosphere of the NBA playoffs, the Denver Nuggets are gearing up for a decisive showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable as these two teams clash in a battle for playoff supremacy. Amidst the heightened drama, a significant injury update has shaken the Nuggets’ camp, with Aaron Gordon set to begin Game 7 despite battling a hamstring strain. The usually dependable forward’s availability is a topic of intense speculation, raising questions about the team’s strategy and the extent to which Gordon will be able to contribute to their playoff aspirations. Will the Nuggets be able to overcome the odds and secure a spot in the next round, or will the Thunder capitalize on their opponents’ injury woes?
Injury Update: Defying Expectations
The Denver Nuggets will have Aaron Gordon in the lineup on Sunday afternoon, defying initial expectations. Gordon was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and was reportedly expected to miss Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, according to Unionjournalism’s sources. However, after Gordon worked out well while warming up before the game, the Nuggets announced he will be in the starting lineup.
Unionjournalism earlier reported that Gordon would need a month to fully recover from the injury, putting his availability for the remainder of the playoffs in doubt even if the Nuggets win and advance to the West finals. Gordon, however, remained determined to play against the Thunder.
Gordon injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of Game 6 on Thursday night and had to leave the contest early. He had to scramble to try and pick up a loose ball after he accidentally bounced it off his foot, and he limped a bit once the play ended. Gordon remained in the game briefly, but was subbed out. He finished with 5 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the 119-107 win at Ball Arena, which forced the Game 7.
Game 7 Preview and Analysis
The Stage is Set
Nuggets vs. Thunder. Nikola Jokić vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Game 7! Sunday’s high-stakes showdown (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) will conclude a dramatic second round of the NBA playoffs. Who will move on to the Western Conference finals to face the Timberwolves?
Expert Analysis
Ben Rohrbach: “Nikola Jokić vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s two leading MVP candidates each of the past two seasons, waging war in a Game 7. What’s not to like? One is a bruiser, the other a surgeon. It is a clash of styles between basketball’s best big man and its best guard. And both of them rarely disappoint.”
Tom Haberstroh: “The desperation. At stake: the Thunder could be the winningest team to miss the conference finals; the Nuggets don’t want to be a second-round out — again — especially after witnessing a triple-double season from Jokić. On top of that, could we get an MVP ceremony before the game, which would tighten the screws even more? As the NCAA tournament shows us every year, there’s nothing better than hoops with do-or-die stakes.”
Dan Titus: “The one-day break, after a nightly hoops marathon since April 18, is torture. But it’ll be worth the wait because we get two MVP finalists going toe-to-toe for the lone Game 7 of the conference semifinals. Will Denver’s unshakable resilience prevail? Or, is the young Thunder squad ready to seize the moment? It’s the kind of high-stakes drama that makes the NBA playoffs must-see TV.”
Morten Stig Jensen: “It’s the MVP angle for me. Simplistic, maybe, but I’m a sucker for playoff series where the two leading candidates go head-to-head. And now we get a seventh game between Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander? Give me all of the drama, and all of the narratives afterward.”
Jason Owens: “What’s not to be excited about? The NBA’s best team seeks its postseason breakthrough against the former champions. The presumed MVP vs. the best player in the world. The winner will emerge as the favorite in the eyes of many to win the NBA championship. This is the stuff of NBA playoff lore.”
Game 7 Keys
What’s the biggest key for the Thunder in Game 7? Tom Haberstroh: “Will the real Jalen Williams please stand up? I’m not talking about his teammate Jaylin. I’m talking about the fourth-quarter assassin Jalen Williams who has been one of the best clutch players over the last two seasons. He’s been mostly M.I.A. this series and the Thunder need him to step up after a 3-for-16 showing in Game 6.”
Jason Owens: “Getting Jalen Williams going. SGA’s gonna get his. OKC’s bench mob of Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, and Aaron Wiggins will collectively deliver. But Jalen Williams’ contributions in this series have been erratic at best, with his six-point effort playing a big role in Thursday’s Game 6 loss. If the All-Star steps up alongside his teammates, OKC will be tough to beat.”
Morten Stig Jensen: “Is it too simple to say ‘make shots’? This Thunder team has severely struggled behind the long line, and while their issues don’t end there, let’s not pretend as if this isn’t a major reason for why they even find themselves in a seventh game. Swing the ball, seek the corners, and let that bad boy fly.”
Dan Titus: “The rebounding battle. If the Nuggets keep this competitive, it’ll be because of their rebounding and generating second-chance opportunities. In this series, the Thunder are allowing 19.7 second-chance points in their losses compared to just 12 second-chance points in their wins. It’ll take a group effort, as Isaiah Hartenstein will have his hands full with Jokić, but if the Thunder keep pace on the glass, that’ll put them in an advantageous position to win.
Ben Rohrbach: “Can Jalen Williams answer the bell as a second option? This was the biggest question facing the young Thunder from the moment the postseason began, and concern about the All-Star forward’s impact has only grown, as he has shot 33.7% from the floor this series.”
Breaking down the high-stakes showdown: Nikola Jokić vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Nikola Jokić vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Game 7! Sunday’s high-stakes showdown (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) will conclude a dramatic second round of the NBA playoffs. Who will move on to the Western Conference finals to face the Timberwolves? Let’s break it down.
Ben Rohrbach: Nikola Jokić vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s two leading MVP candidates each of the past two seasons, waging war in a Game 7. What’s not to like? One is a bruiser, the other a surgeon. It is a clash of styles between basketball’s best big man and its best guard. And both of them rarely disappoint.
Tom Haberstroh: The desperation. At stake: the Thunder could be the winningest team to miss the conference finals; the Nuggets don’t want to be a second-round out — again — especially after witnessing a triple-double season from Jokić. On top of that, could we get an MVP ceremony before the game, which would tighten the screws even more? As the NCAA tournament shows us every year, there’s nothing better than hoops with do-or-die stakes.
Dan Titus: The one-day break, after a nightly hoops marathon since April 18, is torture. But it’ll be worth the wait because we get two MVP finalists going toe-to-toe for the lone Game 7 of the conference semifinals. Will Denver’s unshakable resilience prevail? Or, is the young Thunder squad ready to seize the moment? It’s the kind of high-stakes drama that makes the NBA playoffs must-see TV.
Morten Stig Jensen: It’s the MVP angle for me. Simplistic, maybe, but I’m a sucker for playoff series where the two leading candidates go head-to-head. And now we get a seventh game between Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander? Give me all of the drama, and all of the narratives afterward.
Jason Owens: What’s not to be excited about? The NBA’s best team seeks its postseason breakthrough against the former champions. The presumed MVP vs. the best player in the world. The winner will emerge as the favorite in the eyes of many to win the NBA championship. This is the stuff of NBA playoff lore.
The desperation factor: what’s at stake for both teams and the implications of a win or loss
A win would send the Nuggets into the Western Conference finals for the second time in the past three years. The Thunder, who rolled through the Western Conference and earned the top seed, haven’t been to the conference finals since 2016.
Key Factors for a Thunder Victory
Jalen Williams’ impact on the game’s outcome
What’s not to be excited about? The NBA’s best team seeks its postseason breakthrough against the former champions. The presumed MVP vs. the best player in the world. The winner will emerge as the favorite in the eyes of many to win the NBA championship. This is the stuff of NBA playoff lore.
Tom Haberstroh: Will the real Jalen Williams please stand up? I’m not talking about his teammate Jaylin. I’m talking about the fourth-quarter assassin Jalen Williams who has been one of the best clutch players over the last two seasons. He’s been mostly M.I.A. this series and the Thunder need him to step up after a 3-for-16 showing in Game 6.
The importance of rebounding and second-chance opportunities for the Thunder
If the Nuggets keep this competitive, it’ll be because of their rebounding and generating second-chance opportunities. In this series, the Thunder are allowing 19.7 second-chance points in their losses compared to just 12 second-chance points in their wins. It’ll take a group effort, as Isaiah Hartenstein will have his hands full with Jokić, but if the Thunder keep pace on the glass, that’ll put them in an advantageous position to win.
Can the Thunder’s bench mob deliver and support Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
Getting Jalen Williams going. SGA’s gonna get his. OKC’s bench mob of Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, and Aaron Wiggins will collectively deliver. But Jalen Williams’ contributions in this series have been erratic at best, with his six-point effort playing a big role in Thursday’s Game 6 loss. If the All-Star steps up alongside his teammates, OKC will be tough to beat.
Conclusion
As the Denver Nuggets prepare to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of their Western Conference playoff series, a significant announcement has been made regarding the team’s starting lineup. Despite suffering a hamstring strain, Aaron Gordon will take the court, leaving many to wonder how this will impact the team’s chances of advancing. According to the article on Yahoo Sports, Gordon’s decision to play through injury is a testament to his dedication and resilience, and his presence on the court is expected to provide a much-needed spark for the Nuggets.
The significance of this decision cannot be overstated, as it not only affects the immediate outcome of the game but also has broader implications for the team’s overall season. If the Nuggets are able to emerge victorious, it could be a significant turning point in their playoff run, while a loss would leave them facing an uncertain future. Furthermore, Gordon’s ability to play through injury sends a message to his teammates and coaches about the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.
As the Nuggets and Thunder take to the court, one thing is certain: the outcome of this game will have far-reaching consequences for both teams. While the immediate future of the series hangs in the balance, the long-term implications of this game will be felt for weeks to come. Will the Nuggets be able to overcome their injuries and push forward, or will the Thunder be able to capitalize on their opponents’ struggles? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: this game will be one for the ages, and its outcome will be etched in the memories of basketball fans for years to come. The question on everyone’s mind is: what happens next?