Aaron

Gordon

With Dosunmu out, the Timberwolves find themselves in a tougher spot in Thursday’s closeout game. They’ll insert Shannon into the opening unit, who scored 15 points in Game 4. Minnesota will face a Denver team that is also dealing with a key injury to Aaron Gordon, who will not play in Game 6.

For the third time in this series, the Nuggets will be without their starting power forward. The versatile two-way forward has struggled with injuries throughout his 12th NBA season, and has played in only three of the five playoff games so far, averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Without Gordon, Spencer Jones should fill in again as the fifth starter. Jones scored 20 points and made four three-pointers in Denver’s Game 5 victory.

Gordon did not play in Denver’s Game 5 victory on Monday, resulting in a move into the starting lineup for Spencer Jones. Shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, Jones tallied 20 points, three steals and three blocked shots to help the Nuggets keep their season alive. He’ll get another start if Gordon remains out for another game.

Gordon played 23 minutes in Saturday’s Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves before heading to the locker room in the third quarter. Despite the Nuggets saying he was available, Gordon didn’t return to the court. Now he’s been ruled out for Game 5. Expect Spencer Jones to start in his place.

Gordon, who played 23 minutes in Game 3, did not return after a third-quarter trip to the locker room despite the Nuggets saying that he was available. With the Nuggets’ backs against the wall, it would be unsurprising if he gave it a go on Monday. If Gordon can’t play, Spencer Jones is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, but he offers little value on the offensive end.

Back in action after a one-game absence, Gordon was placed in the starting lineup immediately. While he did play 23 minutes, the veteran forward did not appear to be himself. While the Nuggets said Gordon was available to return after a trip to the locker room during the third quarter, he did not. After the game, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said he believed it would be “unfair” to leave Gordon in. The Nuggets host Game 5 on Monday, and Spencer Jones (four rebounds, one steal and two blocks) may have to return to the starting lineup if Gordon can’t go.

Gordon is back after sitting out the Nuggets’ Game 3 loss on Thursday night. How much he’ll play is unknown, but Gordon’s return means fewer minutes for spot starter Spencer Jones.

Gordon had eight points in 37 minutes in Game 2, but missed Game 3 with a calf injury. Spencer Jones started, but had just six points in Game 3. If Gordon is out again, Jones would be a candidate for another spot start. Gordon remains questionable for Game 4 on Saturday.

Jones got the start for the injured Aaron Gordon (calf) but didn’t make much of an impact. In his 28 minutes, he made his only two three-point shots but was otherwise mostly unproductive in terms of his counting stats. If Gordon misses Game 4, there’s a chance Jones could start again.

After previously being downgraded from probable to questionable, Gordon is now ruled out of Thursday’s contest. Without him, the Nuggets lose arguably their best defender and one of their more versatile offensive weapons as they look to rebound from a Game 3 loss. Bruce Brown could be a player who sees more minutes in Gordon’s absence.