Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon will be reexamined in four to six weeks after sustaining a right hamstring strain, the team announced on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. The injury was aggravated in the second half of Denver’s 102-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Coach David Adelman said after the game that Gordon was optimistic the latest strain was not as severe as the one in late November that sidelined him for more than a month, but additional testing is required. Gordon has been averaging a career-high 17.7 points across 23 games this season.
Key takeaways
- Aaron Gordon suffered a right hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in 4–6 weeks, per the Nuggets’ Thursday announcement.
- The strain was aggravated during the second half of Denver’s 102-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Gordon previously injured the hamstring in late November and missed more than a month because of that earlier issue.
- Denver coach David Adelman said Gordon was optimistic his current injury “was not as bad” as the previous one, but further testing was necessary.
- The injury compounds an already thin roster; several Nuggets, including Nikola Jokic, have missed time this season with various ailments.
- Gordon is averaging a career-best 17.7 points in 23 games this season, making his absence potentially significant for Denver’s rotation and offense.
Background
Hamstring strains are frequent in the NBA, especially for high-minute wings who change speed and direction repeatedly. Gordon first injured this same hamstring in late November, an absence that lasted more than a month and interrupted his season momentum. Teams typically manage recurrent hamstring problems cautiously because re-injury risk rises if a player returns too quickly or without full tissue healing and progressive conditioning.
The Nuggets enter this medical setback already dealing with multiple absences; Nikola Jokic and other rotation players have missed time for separate issues this season. That combination of injuries has tested Denver’s depth and prompted shifts in minutes and lineups. With playoff positioning and chemistry on the line, the club must weigh medical prudence against short-term performance needs.
Main event
The most recent issue surfaced late in Denver’s tight 102-100 win over Milwaukee, when Gordon aggravated the previous hamstring problem in the second half. The team announced the right hamstring strain on Thursday and set a formal re-evaluation window of four to six weeks. That timeline reflects an initial conservative approach, allowing medical staff to monitor recovery and adjust treatment.
Coach David Adelman addressed the situation after the game, noting Gordon’s outlook and the need for further testing before any definitive prognosis. The coach characterized Gordon as hopeful that the new strain was not as severe as the November injury but emphasized that diagnostic work would guide the next steps. The Nuggets have not released a projected return date beyond the re-evaluation window.
Gordon’s current offensive output — a career-best 17.7 points per game through 23 contests — underscores what Denver stands to lose if he is sidelined. The club’s rotation could see increased minutes for bench wings and small-ball lineups while the medical team manages Gordon’s rehabilitation plan. The team has not indicated that surgery is expected; the initial plan centers on rest, imaging and progressive rehab.
Analysis & implications
From a roster perspective, Gordon’s absence for even a month would require a sustained adjustment in Denver’s wing rotation and scoring distribution. Gordon has been one of Denver’s more consistent scorers this season; losing 17.7 points per game forces complementary scorers and role players to pick up additional offensive responsibility. That can change matchup dynamics and spacing, particularly against teams that defend the paint aggressively.
Strategically, the Nuggets must balance short-term competitiveness with long-term player health. Rushing a player recovering from a recurrent hamstring strain risks repeat injury and longer cumulative time lost. The four-to-six-week re-check window indicates the medical staff will prioritize objective testing and graded on-court progress rather than an aggressive timetable to get him back immediately.
On the league level, recurrent soft-tissue injuries like this one influence how teams build depth and manage minutes across the season. For Denver, persistent absences to key players can affect playoff seeding and series matchups; opponents may alter scouting plans if Denver’s wing rotation changes. The injury also raises questions for the front office about insurance, conditioning protocols and potential short-term roster moves to cover minutes.
Comparison & data
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season games played | 23 games |
| Scoring | Career-best 17.7 points per game |
| Recent game | Aggravated hamstring in 102–100 win vs. Milwaukee |
| Prior absence | Late-November hamstring injury — out >1 month |
The table summarizes the facts relevant to Gordon’s availability: his workload this season, scoring impact, the specific game when the strain was aggravated and the earlier November absence. That combination—recent re-injury plus strong scoring—helps explain why the club set a cautious re-evaluation window rather than an immediate timeline for return.
Reactions & quotes
“Aaron Gordon will be reevaluated in four to six weeks.”
Denver Nuggets (team announcement)
“He was optimistic that this strain was not as bad as the one earlier this season, but further testing is necessary.”
Coach David Adelman
Unconfirmed
- Whether the current strain is medically milder than the November injury; imaging results and medical reports have not been released publicly.
- Exact return-to-play date beyond the four-to-six-week re-evaluation window remains unknown.
- Whether the team will pursue short-term roster moves or roster promotions to cover Gordon’s minutes is unannounced.
Bottom line
Aaron Gordon’s right hamstring strain and the club’s decision to re-test in four to six weeks create meaningful short-term uncertainty for a Nuggets team already coping with multiple absences. Given Gordon’s career-high scoring this season, his time away would affect Denver’s offense and rotation flexibility.
Medical prudence appears to be guiding the team’s approach: an initial conservative window allows for objective assessment and progressive rehabilitation, reducing the risk of a premature return and further setbacks. Fans and analysts should watch subsequent imaging reports and the team’s rotation decisions over the coming weeks to gauge the injury’s impact on Denver’s season.