DENVER — Everything seemed to be clicking for the Denver Nuggets during a three-game win streak that gave them a 3-2 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals, and excluding one of the team's most prominent players may have played a big role.
According to Athletic writer Sam Amick, Aaron Gordon's banishment began when center DeAndre Jordan organized a team dinner before Game 3 in Minnesota. The Nuggets were down 0-2 in the series after a resounding loss in Game 2 and looked like they could be dropping their bid to defend their title of reigning NBA champions earlier than expected.
Everyone on the team made it to dinner except one - Gordon - who had other plans that night. The 28-year-old forward was subsequently not invited to dinner after Game 4.
Gordon was quoted as asking Jordan if they were going to dinner after their Game 5 win on Tuesday.
“Yeah — not you though,” Jordan replied. “We’ll see you next round (of the playoffs). Sorry, dawg. We’ll bring you some takeout though.”
Since the Nuggets were thoroughly defeated again in Game 6 by 45 points, it's not clear if Gordon is now reinvited to dinner.
Despite being left out of the recent team gatherings, Gordon has been a key cog in the Nuggets' efforts to repeat. He's averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists to go along with his typical high level of defense.
Game 7 of the series is scheduled for Sunday at Ball Arena in Denver. The winner of the game will move on to face either the Dallas Mavericks or Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
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