Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon will be away from the team while he recovers from lacerations to his hands and face. Gordon reportedly sustained the injuries when a dog bit him on Christmas Day.

“He’s hanging in there,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters Wednesday. “Obviously, a very traumatic experience and the most important thing I told him is that you take as much time as you need. We’re a family — wins, losses, and when people go through tough times like Aaron’s going through right now.”

The Nuggets issued a statement about Gordon’s condition Wednesday, claiming that he required 21 stitches and will not be with the team until at least the new year. The organization did not provide a firm timeframe for his return, though Malone went on to say that he should be right back in the starting lineup when he returns.

“We have his back. We love him. We’re here for him,” Malone said. “So whenever he’s able to come back, we’re going to open our arms up and embrace him. I told all the guys to make sure they’re reaching out to him, to make sure he’s never feeling like he’s on an island.”

Gordon has been with Denver for more than three seasons and has started his entire run with the team. The 28-year-old is averaging 13.6 points per game in the 2023-24 season, serving a solid complementary role to star teammates Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Malone made it clear that Gordon is a close-knit member of reigning champs. The forward even traveled to Serbia with Jokic to attend a horse racing event this past off-season.

While Gordon is away from the team, Peyton Watson and Christian Braun are expected to get more work off the bench, though this could deplete Denver’s reserves late in games.

The Denver Nuggets retained a key member of their core on Wednesday, by re-signing forward Aaron Gordon to a four-year, $92 million contract extension, his agent, Calvin Andrews confirmed.

The deal includes a player option for the fourth year in 2025-26. It features $88 million in base salary and $4 million in incentives. Gordon, the 11th player this offseason to sign a veteran extension, was dealt to Denver in a March trade that sent veteran shooting guard Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and Denver’s protected 2025 first-round pick to the Magic.

Gordon, 26, averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 25 games with Denver. In the postseason, he raised his production to 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds as the Nuggets made it to the second round before being swept by the Phoenix Suns. This will be Gordon’s eighth season in the NBA after being picked No. 4 overall by the Magic in the 2014 NBA draft. Denver locked up MVP Nikola Jokic to a five-year deal in 2018 and point guard Jamal Murray in 2019. The next big deal could be for sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr., a long-range threat who averaged 19 points last season. The high-flying forward might be best remembered for his performances during NBA slam dunk contests. In 2020, he finished as the runner-up in a showdown for the ages with Derrick Jones Jr.

Chris Paul began the game by going just two of eight from the field in the first three quarters of Game 1, but when the fourth quarter rolled around, Paul was lights out. CP3 converted all six of his shots from the field during the final frame. Paul delivered when it mattered most and his late-game heroics allowed the Phoenix Suns to defeat the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals by a score of 122-105. Paul finished with a stat line of 21 points, 11 assists and six rebounds. Teammate Deandre Ayton commended this performance. “It’s in his hands, man,” Ayton said. “He’s made us comfortable… just knowing that he’s got it.”

Paul’s performance is even more impressive considering his injury struggles. Just two weeks ago in Game 1 versus the Los Angeles Lakers, Paul sustained a shoulder injury. Discussing the injury, Paul explained that as the game goes on, the shoulder improves and loosens up. Paul is also in the later stage of his career and this performance made Paul the oldest player in NBA history with 20 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in a playoff game (36 years old). Only four other players have ever done that after the age of 35 years old.

Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon praised Paul. “Man, it’s a different game for him these days from when I was watching him play,” Gordon said. “He was a lot more explosive back in the day, getting to the cup. He’s always been really smart, and he just keeps getting smarter. He’s a maestro out there orchestrating them. He really has uplifted that whole Phoenix team. Just how he talks, how he communicates with them out on the floor; you can tell that he just gives the entire team confidence.”

Although Paul was instrumental in the win, the rest of the Suns’ squad displayed impressive depth and balance. Each of their five starters scored at least 14 points and the team had four players with at least 20 points. “That’s what I’ve said all season long: We have a team. If you try to take one of us out or whatnot, we make the right play. Who you gonna leave open? Mikal Bridges is cash. Jae Crowder is cash. Cam Johnson. I could keep going on and on, and that’s the benefits of having a team,” said Paul.

The Orlando Magic continued its move towards a rebuild by trading Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets. The agreed deal will have Orlando receiving Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton, and Denver’s protected 2025 first-round pick in exchange for Gordon and Gary Clark.

Orlando used the trade deadline to offload players for assets in an effort to rebuild the franchise. The Magic even traded away their best player, Nikola Vucevic, in a separate deal to the Chicago Bulls.

Gordon had asked the team for a trade because the forward was “frustrated” with the team’s performance and direction. “There’s been times where I just expressed my frustration to management,” Gordon said. “Frustration with the losses, the injuries, the way we’ve been playing, and how many losses have accumulated over the years.”

Orlando drafted Gordon in the 2014 NBA Draft with the No. 4 pick. During Gordon’s tenure with the Magic, the team piled up a 203-322 record, only reaching the playoffs twice. In both playoff appearances, Orlando was knocked out in the first round.

Gordon is averaging 14.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. Denver will benefit greatly from another player who is capable of putting the ball in the hoop. The forward is known for his ability to drive to the rim. Gordon will also bring a strong defensive presence to his new team. Gordon is expected to be named a starter for the Nuggets. He will be a great addition to last year’s Western Conference runner up.

Orlando continues to stockpile future draft picks. They also get a rookie player in the deal in Hampton. Hampton has not see much playing time in Denver, but that will change with his new team. The Magic also got Harris in the deal, who will bring his veteran leadership and defensive ability to a team that sorely lacks both.

Overall, this was a good deal for two franchises going in two very different directions.

Aaron Gordon is clearly out of this world.

Magic’s Aaron Gordon Throws Down Thunderous Dunk vs Nets

In just his second year with the Orlando Magic, the 20-year-old forward has already recently displayed two great dunks. The first came against the Los Angeles Lakers just a few weeks ago. The second came during the Magic’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

Jumping from the free throw line — off the wrong foot — Gordon took flight to sink a spectacular dunk with about five minutes remaining in the first quarter. After receiving a pass from point guard Elfrid Payton just inside the free throw line, Gordon jumped to sink the ball with just one hand and give the Magic a 17-16 lead in the first quarter, leaving Nets point guard Shane Larkin, who seemed to hesitate whether to block him or not, and the rest of the court completely stunned.

https://vine.co/v/iDUHD7ZKDnu

The Magic, who defeated the Nets 139-105, (31-43) are now 11th in the Eastern Conference, and will next visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.

Caption:DALLAS, TX – MARCH 01: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic takes a shot against Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at American Airlines Center on March 1, 2016 in Dallas, Texas.