Peyton

Watson

According to Shams, Gordon will need several weeks to recover from the injury. He’s been looking for ways to play on Sunday, “but it is becoming physically improbable to do so.” Gordon hasn’t officially been ruled out, but there’s little chance he takes the court, which is a devastating blow for Denver. Gordon has averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 boards in the 2025 postseason, and his production will likely be picked up by a committee of Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson.

Gordon injured his left hamstring during Denver’s Game 6 victory on Thursday. While ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday evening that the forward’s status for Game 7 is in serious doubt, the Nuggets are hoping that Gordon will play. He’ll be evaluated once he arrives at the arena on Sunday, with the medical staff determining Gordon’s availability and, if cleared, how much he can play. Peyton Watson, Russell Westbrook and Julian Strawther will all have heightened importance if Gordon cannot play.

Gordon injured his hamstring during Thursday’s Game 6 victory, forcing a decisive Game 7 on Sunday. While Charania did not report the grade of the Nuggets’ forward’s strain, Gordon’s availability for Game 7 is in doubt. Multiple reserves will have added value if the Nuggets are forced to play without their starting power forward. Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther will all be asked to contribute even more than they have in this series.

They’ll have two days off before Game 7 on Sunday, so hopefully that will be enough time for Gordon to recover after he tweaked his left hamstring with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. It will likely take a significant injury to keep Gordon off the floor for a Game 7, but if that happens, Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther would all have to step up to help fill the void.

Westbrook missed Game 4, but interim head coach David Adelman just relied on his starters more than usual. If Westbrook misses another game, expect the starters to all play 40-plus minutes once again. Peyton Watson was the only reserve to play more than 10 minutes, and he played 13.

Injured late in Monday’s Game 2 defeat, Porter was cleared to play on Thursday after successfully going through his pregame routine. He’ll occupy his usual place within the starting lineup, while Peyton Watson or Russell Westbrook will miss out on the opportunity to start.

Porter injured his shoulder late in Game 2 when Clippers guard Kris Dunn landed on him as both were diving for a loose ball. While Nuggets interim coach David Adelman said Wednesday afternoon that he was confident MPJ would be available for Game 3, he is officially questionable. Peyton Watson and Russell Westbrook are the players whose minutes would most likely increase if Porter sits, with one of them likely moving into the starting lineup.

Gordon played 46 of a possible 53 minutes in Saturday’s overtime victory to open the series. He’s on the injury report for injury management reasons, and the probable tag suggests Gordon will be available in the end. Peyton Watson, who logged 14 minutes in Game 1, will take on additional playing time if the Nuggets’ starting power forward is limited in any way.

Pickett moved into the starting lineup with Jamal Murray out again with a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old shooting guard had 18 points with most of the damage coming from his five made three-pointers. Pickett played 31 minutes while Peyton Watson played 25 and Russell Westbrook played 17. In the aftermath of Mike Malone’s firing, it appears Pickett could stick in the starting lineup.

Westbrook was again used in a reserve role on Sunday, providing solid value off the bench. With Jamal Murray (hamstring) still out, the veteran point guard does have a slightly higher fantasy ceiling. Jalen Pickett received the starting nod on Sunday, and he finished with four points, one rebound and two assists in 24 minutes. Whether it’s Pickett or Peyton Watson (three points, one rebound and three blocks) who starts, Westbrook remains a player worth rostering while Murray is out.