The Denver Nuggets have flipped all narratives by profitable three straight video games to go up 3-2 on the feisty Minnesota Timberwolves. Their season-saving turnaround may be principally attributed to Nikola Jokić ascending into one other airplane of basketball existence after fixing the Wolves’ defensive gauntlet. However Aaron Gordon performed a giant function too, and never simply on the court docket.
The place he has been wonderful, 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 Recreation 3. However he is been stellar ever since, averaging 19.3 factors per recreation on 69.7% capturing from the ground. Most significantly, he isn’t consuming dinner with everyone in Minnesota.
After Denver’s Recreation 5 112-97 win on Tuesday night time, Sam Amick reported for The Athletic that the Nuggets have a brand new playoff superstition — Gordon shouldn’t be allowed to return to the staff dinner at their normal 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 staff dinner?” Gordon requested, per Amick.
“Yeah — not you although,” Jordan stated. “We’ll see you subsequent spherical (of the playoffs). Sorry, dawg. We’ll carry you some takeout although.”
Because it seems, the Nuggets have a normal steakhouse they go to earlier than Timberwolves video games. After dropping their first two video games at house and with their title protection on the ropes, the staff went to that very same steakhouse. Gordon, for causes not but identified, 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 Recreation 3 victory. Then Denver did it once more in Recreation 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 alter. It could go down in franchise historical past ought to Denver fend off Minnesota for yet another recreation. It will not be straightforward, however each athlete performs higher after they really imagine they’ve destiny on their facet.
So long as Gordon does not present up and ask for a New York strip, the Nuggets are in a great spot.