A tough twist hit the Denver Nuggets in Milwaukee on Friday. Forward Aaron Gordon re-injured his right hamstring near the end of the second quarter against the Bucks, did not come back after halftime, and was quickly ruled out. It’s a setback that lands just as Denver seemed to be finding a rhythm, and it comes one night after Gordon said he felt the best he had in a long time.

The Nuggets still closed strong. They outscored Milwaukee 30–21 in the third quarter and built a 15-point cushion, grinding out a win on the road despite a long absence list and the loss of one of their most important two-way pieces.

Re-injury in Milwaukee: what happened and why it matters

Gordon left late in the second quarter on the second leg of a back-to-back and did not return. The team ruled him out for the rest of the game at halftime. That quick call usually signals the Nuggets were not willing to take any risks with a soft-tissue issue, especially the same hamstring he’s been managing this season.

Before he exited, Gordon was sharp: 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in only 16 minutes. He was active everywhere — cutting, defending, and helping push the pace. Then the hamstring flared up, and Denver had to pivot.

“Denver won, but hamstrings don’t care about box scores.”

A familiar hamstring issue returns for Aaron Gordon

This is not a new injury for Gordon. He strained the same right hamstring in November and missed more than a month — roughly six weeks — before returning. For a player who does so much through speed, power, and lift, a hamstring is a central muscle. It affects every step, every jump, and every slide on defense.

The timing is striking. On Thursday, after a win at Washington, Gordon said, “I feel good. Better than I’ve felt in a long time.” Less than 24 hours later, during a back-to-back, that same hamstring acted up. It’s a reminder of how careful teams must be with soft-tissue injuries, and how easily they can resurface when the schedule gets tight.

Nuggets find a way: third-quarter surge sinks the Bucks

Even without Gordon for the second half, Denver controlled the game after the break. A 30–21 third quarter flipped the night and gave the Nuggets room to breathe. That stretch highlighted Denver’s habits: they defend, they rebound, and they move the ball to create clean looks.

Credit the mindset. This group has been shorthanded lately, but the bench stepped in with energy and discipline. The result was a road win in a tough building with a thin rotation.

“This bench is deeper than people think — Tyson time?”

Denver’s injury picture: already shorthanded

Gordon’s exit hit a team that was already dealing with a long list of absences. The Nuggets were missing:

• Nikola Jokic
• Jamal Murray (right hamstring inflammation, left hip inflammation)
• Christian Braun
• Peyton Watson (right and left ankle sprains)
• Jonas Valanciunas

That context makes the win even more impressive, but it also shows why Gordon’s status matters so much. He is a connector on both ends. On offense, he sets screens, cuts hard, and finishes. On defense, he guards multiple positions and helps at the rim. Losing him forces the Nuggets to reshuffle roles again.

Who steps up if Gordon sits? Minutes for DaRon Holmes and Hunter Tyson

If Gordon needs time to recover, Denver has options to fill the minutes, even if none can fully match his two-way impact.

• DaRon Holmes: A lively big who runs, rebounds, and can finish plays. He brings size and activity that fit Denver’s system.
• Hunter Tyson: A stretch forward who can space the floor and compete on the glass. His shooting opens the lane for drivers and cutters.

Expect the coaching staff to mix lineups, lean on effort, and keep roles simple. The goal will be to protect the paint, limit fouls, and keep the ball moving.

Gordon’s first-half line tells the story

Gordon made his presence felt right away. In 16 minutes, he put up 13 points (4-of-9), grabbed six boards, dished three assists, and swiped two steals. That’s the full Gordon package — efficient scoring, strong rebounding, playmaking in space, and quick hands.

Those numbers are not empty. They show how he fuels the little plays that swing close games: a tap-out rebound, a smart cut, a help rotation that forces a turnover. Denver will miss that if he’s out.

“Back-to-backs and hamstrings are a bad mix — protect the core pieces.”

What comes next for the Nuggets and Gordon

The immediate plan is simple: monitor Gordon’s hamstring and avoid rushing anything. The Nuggets know this muscle already cost him significant time in the fall. With a long season still ahead, smart caution now can pay off later.

Denver has shown it can grind through these stretches. The win in Milwaukee proves it. But there’s no question Gordon’s health is a key piece of their ceiling. When he is right, the Nuggets play faster, defend stronger, and look more complete.

For now, the story is two-fold: a resilient road win and a worrying re-injury. Denver will hope the first trend keeps rolling while the second is short-lived.

Bottom line

Aaron Gordon re-injured his right hamstring late in the second quarter on Friday in Milwaukee and did not return. He had been excellent before the setback, and the Nuggets — already missing several rotation players — still found a response, using a big third quarter to put the game away. If Gordon sits, expect DaRon Holmes and Hunter Tyson to see more action. The bigger picture, though, is clear: Denver’s goals depend on keeping its core healthy and ready when it matters most.