So, despite a Grade 2 hamstring strain, a debilitating long-term injury for explosive basketball players and really any athlete in any sport, Gordon started anyway. And despite so

At halftime, the Thunder led 60-46, propelled by Jalen Williams' 17 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 12. Despite the deficit, the Nuggets showed first half fight, with Nikola Jokic contributing 17 points and Aaron Gordon adding eight points and eight rebounds before the break.

Gordon "looked normal," Adelman said. "His motions were good. So, hoping he plays." In the event that he doesn't play, though, the Nuggets will be prepared. "We walked through a lot of stuff today with different people having [his] responsibilities," Adelman said. "But, like I said, the hope is the responsibilities will be Aaron's."