Aaron Gordon’s injury target return date has been set after 6 weeks out

The Denver Nuggets have dealt with a lot of adversity when it comes to injuries this season, and Aaron Gordon was no exception. Gordon has played in just 23 games due to multiple injuries, and hasn’t played since January 23 due to long-term right hamstring injury it bothered him all season.

However, it finally looks like Gordon’s absence will come to an end in exactly six weeks, as he is with the aim of returning on Friday night when the Nuggets play the New York Knicks, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Even though this is Gordon’s target date, the Nuggets’ medical team will still have to clear him, as they have taken a cautious approach to him and fourth-rounder Peyton Watson, who is alsodetermined for several weeks with a hamstring strain. Given their championship hopes this season, the Nuggets aren’t rushing any players back into the mix.

This is especially true for Gordon, who returned in January from a hamstring injury he suffered in Novemberonly to play in 10 games before having to restart the process. His health in the postseason is essential for the Nuggets.

On Sunday, league sources told ClutchPoints that both Gordon and Watson were is progressing because of their injuries and that Denver would re-examine them at some point this week, with the hope that they could be back on the floor alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in 7-10 days.

If Gordon is cleared to play and return Friday night against the Knicks, he would provide an immediate boost the Nuggets have been missing.

Over their last 16 games, the Nuggets have gone just 7-9, winning just once in a row during that stretch. Without Gordon and Watson, as well as Cam Johnson at times, Denver was left extremely thin at the forward position. More importantly, Gordon’s absence left a void on defense that the Nuggets had no answers to address without him.

While Gordon may not be an All-Star level talent, his impact is synonymous with stars around the league because of the little things he does on both ends of the court.

Besides being able to defend multiple positions and take a ton of pressure off everyone else in Denver, Gordon always makes winning plays on offense in terms of passing or creating second-chance opportunities.

This season, he averaged a career-high 17.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from 3-point range. The Nuggets were at the top of the league in offensive efficiency before Gordon’s injury, and that’s no coincidence.

As good as Jokic and Murray are, his presence is vital to Denver’s overall success, which is why the team has been patient with Gordon’s road to recovery. It is still unknown if Gordon will return on Friday, which is his target date.

The Nuggets are currently 38-24 this season and are one game behind the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, who are tied for the 3 seed in the Western Conference standings.