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As Game 7 is less than 24 hours away from tipoff, one key character's status is up in the air. The Denver Nuggets will wake up Sunday morning not knowing if Aaron Gordon will suit up for the do-or-die contest to determine the Round 2 playoff series winner.
Gordon's status is a major storyline for obvious reasons. The 29-year-old has been an important starter for Denver for years now. In this playoff run, he's already had a handful of highlight moments. He scored a game-winner against the LA Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Nuggets forced overtime in their Game 3 win because of Gordon's game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds. He's helped shut down Jalen Williams in his worst playoff series of his career.
If Gordon's hamstring strain forces him out, that completely changes Denver's dynamics. The Thunder will have the leg-up in the decisive Game 7, which is the sole NBA contest of this weekend's slate. The Nuggets are extremely thin as is. Losing one of your best six players is a tough blow.
Despite Gordon's uncertainty, Chet Holmgren says the Thunder are focused on themselves. They won't make contingency plans ahead of an important Game 7 depending on his availability. They didn't do it with Jamal Murray's illness in Game 6.
“Our prep was focused on us," Holmgren said. "We can't control what ends up happening tomorrow, whether he's able to play or not, but we can focus on how we can be better and be ready. And that's what we did.”
The Thunder have several advantages over the Nuggets ahead of Game 7. They're at home, have the youngest roster, richer depth, perfect health and were the better team all regular season. Gordon's possible absence could be another variable favoring OKC.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Chet Holmgren says Thunder not concerned with Aaron Gordon's Game 7
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