Aaron Gordon was listed day-to-day on the official injury report Sunday with a left calf issue, his first listing of the offseason. The report sets an expected return date of Oct. 1, more than a week before Denver's opener at the Jazz.
What happened
The Nuggets listed Aaron Gordon as day-to-day on the official injury report Sunday, Sept. 6, at 4:32 a.m. ET, with a left calf issue. It is his first listing this offseason, with no previous status on file. The report's comment ties his workload to the roster: with Peyton Watson now traded to Cleveland, Gordon could see more usage for Denver in 2026-27. The report also lists an expected return date of Oct. 1, well ahead of Denver's season opener.
What it means for the Nuggets
Denver opens its season at the Jazz on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 9 p.m. ET, and Gordon's Oct. 1 expected return date would have him ready well before that game. Last season he averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27.9 minutes across 36 games. In games Gordon has sat out, Jamal Murray (35.4 minutes, 25.4 points) and Nikola Jokić (34.8 minutes, 27.7 points) have carried a heavier load, with Christian Braun (31.8 minutes) and Cameron Johnson (30.5 minutes) also seeing more time. The 2026-27 season has not started, so Denver has no record with or without him yet.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Gordon's calf has cleared before the opener. No update beyond the day-to-day status and the Oct. 1 target has been announced. Denver's schedule begins at the Jazz on Oct. 6, the first test of whether that expected return holds. Nothing about a recurring or worsening issue has been reported.
Is Aaron Gordon playing at the Jazz on Oct. 6?
Not officially confirmed. Gordon is day-to-day with a left calf issue, and the official injury report's expected return date of Oct. 1 falls before Denver's opener, but no game status has been announced for that game.
When will Aaron Gordon be back?
The official injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1, 2026.