DENVER (AP) — Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has a strained left hamstring and his availability is in doubt for Game 7 against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Friday night because the extent of the injury has not yet been announced. Gordon clutched his hamstring late in Denver's 119-107 win over the Thunder on Thursday to tie their second-round series.
The winner advances to the Western Conference finals, where they will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
ESPN first reported the injury status of Gordon.
The loss of Gordon would be a significant blow for the Nuggets, who typically only have three bench players they rotate into the game. Should Gordon not be able to go, Peyton Watson or Russell Westbrook could possibly start in his place.
Gordon has been an integral part of the Nuggets' run throughout the playoffs this season, which includes a win over the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games during the first round. He's averaging a 16.8 points — his most in a postseason — and 7.3 rebounds.
The 29-year-old Gordon helped the Nuggets to their only NBA championship in 2023.
In the locker room after Thursday's game, Gordon said his hamstring was feeling, “OK.”
“Just not entirely sure what happened,” Gordon explained. “Just going to recover, see what I can do in Game 7.”
Gordon was limited to 51 games in the regular season as he dealt with a strained right calf injury and a sprained left ankle. He averaged 14.7 points.
Michael Porter. Jr. also is banged up with a sprained left shoulder.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso, front, dives for a loose ball in front of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, looks to pass the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso defends in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
BERLIN (AP) — Martin Terrier scored a contender for goal of the season as Bayer Leverkusen defeated local rival Cologne 2-0 in their 73rd Bundesliga derby on Saturday.
Arthur’s cross from the right was behind Terrier, but the French forward dropped down and looped the ball in over Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe with the back of his heel to break the deadlock in the 66th minute.
Robert Andrich headed in from Aleix Garcia’s corner six minutes later to seal the win.
Leverkusen was without key players Patrik Schick and Álex Grimaldo but still boasted enough talent to create the greater chances against the visitors, who had injury-enforced absences of their own.
The win kept Leverkusen in fourth place, the last for Champions League qualification.
Ritsu Doan scored for Eintracht Frankfurt to end its four-game winless run across all competitions with a 1-0 win over Augsburg.
The Japan forward took the ball past two Augsburg defenders and unleashed his shot before he was closed down by two more. The deflection from a retreating defender took the ball beyond Finn Dahmen in the Augsburg goal in the 68th minute, setting off relief-tinged celebrations around the stadium.
Noahkai Banks briefly spoiled the mood when he equalized late, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. It was the second goal that was ruled out for offside for the visitors in the game.
Frankfurt lost narrowly at Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, after it was routed 6-0 at home by Leipzig in its previous game.
“The lads tried with all they had left in the tank,” Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller said of his team's busy schedule. “They were lacking that bit of freshness. It's been a grueling six months.”
St. Pauli overcame a harsh sending off to end its 10-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over relegation rival Heidenheim.
Pauli had Eric Smith sent off before the break when referee Sören Storks penalized him for a foul on Marvin Pieringer as the last defender, though TV replays showed the Heidenheim forward made the most of light contact and threw himself to the ground. There was no VAR intervention.
Martijn Kaars had already put Pauli ahead, and he stunned the visitors by scoring the second against the run of play early the second half.
Pieringer pulled one back later, but Pauli held on for its third league win of the season.
Wolfsburg’s revival under interim coach Daniel Bauer continued with a 3-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. It stretched the team’s unbeaten run to three games.
Hoffenheim defeated promoted Hamburger SV 4-1 for its fourth straight home win.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Leverkusen's Martim Terrier celebrates after he scored the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1.FC Cologne in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Leverkusen's Martim Terrier celebrates after he scored the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1.FC Cologne in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
St. Pauli's Martijn Kaars celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC St. Pauli and 1. FC Heidenheim in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marcus Brandt/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's head coach Dino Toppmoeller, left, gives instructions during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's Rasmus Kristensen celebrates at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's Ritsu Doan, left, and Augsburg's Han-Noah Massengo, right, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's Ritsu Doan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
