Aaron Gordon Says He Is Healthy After Slow Start
The Denver Nuggets forward says he is physically fine as the team sits 5-4 and tenth in the West after nine games.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Basketball
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon confirmed he is physically healthy following Monday's loss to the Houston Rockets, after a slow start to the 2026-27 season. Through nine games he is averaging 11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 39.5% shooting.
Why it matters
Gordon missed 46 of Denver's 82 games last season, so his availability is central to the team's chances after a 5-4 start. The Nuggets also rank 15th in offensive rating, a sharp drop from last season's top-ranked offense.
Gordon is averaging 29.3 minutes per game and shooting 27.8% from three-point range through nine games. His 39.5% field goal percentage is a career low for him this season, and the Nuggets are 5-4 and tenth in the Western Conference.
The players
Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon is a 31-year-old forward for the Denver Nuggets, whose availability has been a recurring question for the team.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a Western Conference franchise based in Denver that had the league's top offense last season.
The details
Gordon confirmed his health after Monday's loss to the Rockets, in which he scored three points on 1-of-6 shooting. He said he spent the offseason doing recovery, lifting and running. Denver faces the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
Timeline
Monday, November 10, 2026: Nuggets lose to the Houston Rockets and Gordon confirms he is healthy.
Wednesday, November 12, 2026: Nuggets play the Memphis Grizzlies.
May and June 2027: Gordon is expected to be available for the playoffs.
Season Trajectory
Denver's drop from the league's top offense last season to a 15th-ranked offense this year shapes a season that now hinges on Gordon's health. A 5-4 start leaves the Nuggets tenth in the West, which makes their standing in the crowded conference a live question.
Fantasy managers weighing Gordon's rotation spot should note that his 11.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game are his current baseline. Gordon's health confirmation means his minutes and production are likely to stay steady through the Grizzlies game.
The takeaway
Gordon's ability to stay on the floor is the single biggest variable in whether Denver rebounds from its slow start. Tracking his minutes and shooting over the next several games will show whether the early-season dip is temporary.
What happens next
The Nuggets play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, November 12, 2026, the next scheduled test of their early-season form.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see the latest Denver basketball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
