Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon shines as super-utility player vs. Lakers

Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets secures a rebound as LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers makes an attempt during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 25, 2024. LOS ANGELES —

Utility guy? That is an apt description, although “super” is a needed addition. Garbage collector? Hardly. Indispensable? There is no question about it. “You look at his performance night and his impact and it tells you what you need to know,” coach Michael Malone said Friday after the Nuggets studied video in preparation for Game 4.

Gordon was traded from Orlando to Denver in March 2021. The Nuggets sent Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton and a protected 2025 first-round draft pick to the Magic in exchange for Gordon and Gary Clark. Malone calls it one of the best trades in Nuggets history. “That’s my boy on and off the court,” Porter said. “We’ve definitely got a connection, and he’s an easy target to find. You can throw the ball anywhere. He’s gonna get it. He’s gonna go up strong. Dunk it, probably. And then he’s always looking for me, whether it’s transition, whatever it is. He knows the type of shots I’m capable of hitting, and I know where he feels comfortable as well. So we’re definitely looking for each other.

“First of all, he changed his game, of course,” star center Nikola Jokic said. “He accepted the role; that’s the most important thing. And he’s gonna have nights like where he played amazing. He won us the game.

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