The NBA, like different skilled sports activities leagues, sees its justifiable share of unusual accidents yearly. Whether we’re speaking in regards to the collapse of Kendrick Perkins’ mattress or Lionel Simmons struggling tendinitis in his wrist from enjoying an excessive amount of Nintendo Game Boy, basketball gamers are susceptible to harm whether or not they’re on the courtroom or off of it. In the case of Aaron Gordon, it was his personal pet that has saved him out of Denver’s final two video games.
On Christmas evening, Gordon suffered accidents to his hand and face when his canine, a rottweiler, bit him. The accidents had been initially given no timetable, however Gordon advised The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando that he feels able to play on Monday when the Nuggets face the Charlotte Hornets. He defined that he has performed with stitches in his arms earlier than, and he does not care in regards to the ones in his face. “We’re not operating a pageant right here,” he quipped. As for the incident itself? He advised Durando {that a} little bit of Christmas enjoyable simply bought out of hand.
“I suppose it is somewhat bit embarrassing, however not too embarrassing to the place I am unable to discuss it,” he stated. “I do not drink loads through the season. I in all probability had somewhat bit an excessive amount of eggnog. I used to be type of roughhousing with my canine, and I feel my canine bought somewhat excited and simply principally chomped down. Gave me a chunk. And I used to be principally wrestling him off of me, after which he bit my hand.
“For lack of higher phrases, I used to be (messing) round with my canine, and once you (mess) round, you discover out.”
The Nuggets gained their first sport with out Gordon, however misplaced their second. For the time being, it does not appear as if he’ll miss a 3rd. As for Gordon’s canine? The Nuggets ahead acknowledged he may want a bit extra coaching. He lives with Gordon’s father a lot of the time due to the hectic journey schedule that comes with enjoying within the NBA. For now, Gordon’s household is caring for the canine. All issues thought-about, issues might have been a lot worse for all events concerned.
“He’s boy. He’s canine,” Gordon stated. “… Very hooked up. Very candy. Very sturdy. Great canine.”
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone known as Gordon “one of many extra underrated gamers within the league.” Denver has been higher on each ends with him on the courtroom than off it this season, and its beginning 5 — Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Gordon and Nikola Jokic — has outscored opponents by 17.7 factors per 100 possessions in 311 minutes.
Gordon is averaging 13.6 factors, 6.9 rebounds and three.4 assists in 32 minutes this season. His 3-point proportion has fallen to a career-low 25%, although he is dunking at a powerful charge.
The reigning NBA champions at the moment sit in third place within the Western Conference with a 23-11 report. They’re simply 2.5 video games from the West’s high seed, at the moment occupied by the 24-7 Minnesota Timberwolves.
