{"id":93303,"date":"2026-03-09T21:09:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/ive-gotta-stay-on-top-of-it\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T21:09:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:09:31","slug":"ive-gotta-stay-on-top-of-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/ive-gotta-stay-on-top-of-it\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I’ve gotta stay on top of it’"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

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Aaron Gordon<\/a> overcame his first obstacle by getting back on the court.<\/p>\n

His next challenge is make an impact when he\u2019s on the court.<\/p>\n

His third will be to stay there.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, I\u2019ve gotta play better on the offensive side,\u201d he said after his first game in more than a month. \u201cAnd defense. I\u2019ve just gotta play better for us to have a chance to win. I think as I get my legs back under me, I\u2019ll do that. So I\u2019ve gotta be better for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gordon was blunt about his performance but upbeat about the state of his right hamstring \u2014 it might as well be the state of the union for the Nuggets \u2014 while reflecting on a 1-for-7 shooting night Friday. It was supposed to the power forward\u2019s triumphant return<\/a> after missing 17 consecutive games with a reaggravated hamstring strain. Instead, it was Denver\u2019s worst home loss in franchise history, a 142-103 smackdown by the Knicks at Ball Arena.<\/p>\n

Consider Gordon unfazed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve gotta stay on top of it. But I play without worry,\u201d he said when asked about the risk of re-injury. \u201cWhen you\u2019re worried about an injury out there, that\u2019s usually when it happens. So I feel great. My body feels good. It\u2019s just the timing and the pace of the game that needs to come back to me now, but I feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gordon returned from the injury for 10 games in January, only for it to emerge again during a game in Milwaukee. He was welcomed back by a rousing ovation Friday at Ball Arena. He played 21 minutes in the loss, amassing three points, three rebounds and three assists. His playing time will remain restricted for now.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fun. I\u2019m grateful to be able to play this game and be out there and express myself through the game that I love to play,\u201d Gordon said, \u201cand to be out there with the fellas. So win, lose or draw, I have gratitude. Obviously, it\u2019s better to come out with a win, and that\u2019s what I\u2019m looking for day in and day out. But I\u2019m grateful to just play the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

His second game back could require a step up in speed and physicality. The Nuggets will visit Oklahoma City on Monday for a rematch of their chippy overtime affair with the Thunder<\/a> 10 days earlier. Gordon is still shooting 39% from the 3-point line this season, but he thinks there might be something to the notion that he was out of rhythm Friday in part because his conditioning was in catch-up mode.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnybody in the league can make shots when there\u2019s no cardio involved, when no one\u2019s tired,\u201d he said. \u201cBut as soon as you start running up and down, it gets a little bit harder to make shots and be in the right place at the right time. But I\u2019m not here to make excuses. I played bad (against the Knicks). And I know that affected us losing the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Nuggets are 17-7 when Gordon suits up this season. They\u2019re 12-4 when he plays 25 or more minutes, with three of those losses by one-score margins and all four of them by single digits.<\/p>\n

\u201cAaron was on an emotional high, but he\u2019s still trying to find a rhythm in a real game,\u201d coach David Adelman said. \u201c\u2026 When (Nikola) Jokic came back, he was trying to find his rhythm. Even him. So it\u2019s part of the whole thing. But regardless of how we lost or whatever it is, it\u2019s good to have him back.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Gordon pinpointed the timing of his pregame routine when asked if there are any strategies he\u2019s implementing in an attempt to prevent more health complications for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m getting to the gym earlier,\u201d he said. \u201cMuch, much earlier. Warming up more diligently.\u201d<\/p>\n