Aaron Gordon has been upgraded to available for the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Gordon, the star forward for Denver, had missed Game 3 with left calf tightness and was listed as questionable heading into Saturday night’s matchup.
However, shortly before Game 4, Gordon was upgraded to available, set to play for the Nuggets in a must-win contest.
Is Aaron Gordon Playing Tonight? Nuggets Announce Final Injury Update
Yes, Gordon is set to play in Game 4 after he was cleared shortly before tipoff.
“Critical lineup news: Denver’s Aaron Gordon will return tonight in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves (8:30 pm ET on ABC), sources tell ESPN. Gordon is playing through a calf injury that sidelined him for Game 3,” NBA insider Shams Charania wrote on X.
While the news of Gordon’s status came less than an hour before Game 4, his availability for Saturday was in question for much of the day. After missing Game 3, the extent of his injury was unknown, but officially on the injury report with left calf tightness, the Nuggets had hope he would be able to suit up.
Before the game, Anthony Slater of ESPN reported that Gordon would go through warmups with the intent to play.
“Aaron Gordon is warming up prior to Game 4 in Minnesota with the intent to play. Calf issue is clearly a tricky one. Nuggets coach David Adelman: “If he plays, we’ll see how it goes.” Minutes/limitations would be based on how it feels/responds,” he wrote on X.
Game 4 is all but a must-win for Denver, as after dropping Game 3 to go down 2-1 in the series, getting a victory before heading back home for Game 5 to even up the series would be key.
Now, the Nuggets will have their star forward, and while he hasn’t matched his regular season numbers in two playoff games, having him back is a massive help for a team that is currently down in the series.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report For Game 3
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 22: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Gordon’s injury status was the leading headline for the Nuggets heading into Game 4, but with him now available, the team only has one player out for Saturday night.
Peyton Watson, breakout star for Denver, remains on the injury report with a hamstring strain, as he has not yet suited up for postseason action so far.
However, as Slater reported before Game 3, Watson was seen warming up, and the Nuggets have hope that he can return at some point in the series.
“Peyton Watson getting some court work after Nuggets shootaround this morning in Minnesota. Remains out tonight with a hamstring injury, but Denver hopeful to get him back in this Minnesota series. Swing factor,” he wrote on X.
This is not the first time Watson has been out with a hamstring strain, as he missed time earlier in the year with the same injury. Still, Denver will have to go forward without him, but already down in a series they were expected to win, getting him back at some point would come as a major help.
Before Game 4, Slater reported that while Watson remains out, he did more on-court work in hopes of making a return sometime soon.
As for the Timberwolves, Game 4 marks the first time star Anthony Edwards was not listed as questionable in the lead-up to a game in this series. Despite a lingering knee injury, he will play on Saturday, set to start and lead Minnesota.
Nuggets Announce Final Aaron Gordon Injury Return News For Game 4 Vs Timberwolves