Aaron Gordon on Sunday pleaded his case for the NBA to make some modifications to the way it schedules the playoffs.
The Denver Nuggets star was arguably the most important playoff hero within the 2025 postseason, with two game-winning pictures to his title during the last two weeks alone. However Gordon suffered a last-minute injury in Game 6 of the Nuggets’ Western Convention semifinals sequence towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder that put his standing into query heading into Recreation 7.
Gordon did suit up on Sunday against the Thunder, risking a possible aggravation of the Grade 2 hamstring pressure he was recognized with earlier this week. He completed Recreation 7 with a good eight factors and 11 rebounds, however his efforts weren’t sufficient because the Thunder blew the Nuggets out, 125-93.
After the sport, Gordon called for the NBA to offer groups with extra relaxation in between playoff video games.
“I’d actually, actually respect it if there have been a few days in between video games within the playoffs as a substitute of each different day, regardless if you happen to go seven video games,” the Nuggets ahead mentioned.
“I believe the times in between video games, a journey day and a restoration day, simply two days, I believe the product of the sport can be so much higher. I believe there’d be a greater product on the ground. … You’ll see a better stage of basketball. Most likely much less blowouts.”
On one hand, some see the grueling gauntlet of video games as an intrinsic a part of what makes the NBA playoffs so difficult. Groups that may beat their opponents in fewer video games are rewarded with further relaxation earlier than their subsequent sequence. The format additionally advantages squads with deeper rosters geared up to play properly into Might and June.
Then again, the present format takes a toll on high gamers who carry heavier hundreds for his or her respective groups. The NBA noticed a rash of accidents to stars this postseason alone, with names like Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, Steph Curry and Gordon all getting harm to various levels over the previous couple of weeks.
The Nuggets performed in two seven-game sequence over the span of 29 days from April 19 to Might 18. Throughout that span, there have been solely three cases when Denver had two days of relaxation between video games.
Had the Nuggets received Sunday’s Recreation 7, they’d have needed to fly again to Colorado to host the well-rested Minnesota Timberwolves in about 48 hours.
