Denver Nuggets: Aaron Gordon And Christian Braun Set To Return

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The Denver Nuggets enter Sunday’s meeting with the Brooklyn Nets missing Nikola Jokic for at least four weeks, yet finally receive positive news. Starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are cleared to return from injury, giving Denver important support as the team tries to keep a top-four Western Conference position during a difficult stretch.

Jokic recently suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended knee, ending an impressive run that, alongside Jamal Murray, kept Denver near the Western Conference summit. The Nuggets start Sunday at 23-11, holding third place, but lead the seventh-placed Phoenix Suns by only three games, adding pressure to perform without the three-time league MVP.

Gordon has been sidelined since 21 November with a strained right hamstring, while Braun has not played since 12 November because of a sprained left ankle. Both completed pre-game warmups on Sunday, after David Adelman indicated that staff would assess fitness shortly before tip-off, and the coaching group then confirmed that the two starters are available.

Adelman underlined how important the extra depth is for the short-handed rotation, after weeks of managing injuries across the roster. Earlier, Adelman explained that Gordon and Braun would test their conditions during Sunday afternoon warmups before a final call. Following medical clearance, Adelman expressed relief, stating, "Weve had a good 48 hours, those two guys. Thank God, Adelman said. We could use the bodies."

Gordon is enjoying one of the best offensive seasons of a career. The forward averages 18.8 points, with 44.4 percent shooting from three-point range, both tracking as personal bests. Gordon also contributes 5.9 rebounds per game, numbers that become even more important while Jokic recovers from the knee issue.

Braun opened the season struggling from long range, yet still supplies 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game across all competitions. Denver is 1-1 since Jokic’s knee problem, and the club expects Gordon and Braun to handle larger roles while Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas remain unavailable for Sunday’s contest against Brooklyn.