The Denver Nuggets have flipped all narratives by successful three straight video games to go up 3-2 on the feisty Minnesota Timberwolves. Their season-saving turnaround could be principally attributed to Nikola Jokić ascending into one other aircraft of basketball existence after fixing the Wolves’ defensive gauntlet. However Aaron Gordon performed an enormous function too, and never simply on the court docket.
The place he has been glorious, to be clear. Gordon, like the remainder of his teammates, struggled mightily within the opening two video games of the second spherical collection; the previous All-Star had a plus-minus of -55 heading into Sport 3. However he is been stellar ever since, averaging 19.3 factors per sport on 69.7% taking pictures from the ground. Most significantly, he’s not consuming dinner with all people in Minnesota.
After Denver’s Sport 5 112-97 win on Tuesday night time, Sam Amick reported for The Athletic that the Nuggets have a brand new playoff superstition — Gordon is just not allowed to come back to the crew dinner at their regular steakhouse in Minneapolis. Within the locker room Tuesday, Gordon requested DeAndre Jordan if he was invited, and Jordan didn’t hesitate to disclaim his teammate entry.
“DJ, y’all going to crew dinner?” Gordon requested, per Amick.
“Yeah — not you although,” Jordan stated. “We’ll see you subsequent spherical (of the playoffs). Sorry, dawg. We’ll deliver you some takeout although.”
Because it seems, the Nuggets have a regular steakhouse they go to earlier than Timberwolves video games. After dropping their first two video games at dwelling and with their title protection on the ropes, the crew went to that very same steakhouse. Gordon, for causes not but recognized, was the one participant who did not make it.
And thus the superstition comes into focus. After Gordon missed dinner, the Nuggets pulled off an enormous Sport 3 victory. Then Denver did it once more in Sport 4 thanks largely to an ideal 10-of-10 begin from the sphere for Gordon, who completed 11-of-12.
The vibes are sky-high after the Nuggets’ third consecutive win, however the superstition is not going to vary. It might go down in franchise historical past ought to Denver fend off Minnesota for yet one more sport. It will not be simple, however each athlete performs higher after they really imagine they’ve destiny on their aspect.
So long as Gordon does not present up and ask for a New York strip, the Nuggets are in a great spot.