Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon suffered “lacerations to his face and hand” from a dog bite on Christmas Day, the team announced Wednesday, with multiple reports stating Gordon required 21 stitches.
The 28-year-old Gordon “will remain away from the team while he recovers,” the Nuggets added in a statement, noting further updates will be issued as necessary.
“He’s hanging in there,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters Wednesday. “Obviously, a very traumatic experience and the most important thing I told him is that you take as much time as you need. We’re a family — wins, losses, and when people go through tough times like Aaron’s going through right now.
“We have his back. We love him. We’re here for him. So whenever he’s able to come back, we’re going to open our arms up and embrace him. I told all the guys to make sure they’re reaching out to him, to make sure he’s never feeling like he’s on an island.”
A former first-round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Gordon began his career with the Magic before being traded to the Nuggets in March 2021.
He became a first-time NBA champion in June when Denver defeated the Heat in five games during the 2023 NBA Finals.
So far this season, Gordon is averaging 13.6 points per game, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
He recorded 16 points in the Nuggets’ 120-114 win over the Warriors on Dec. 25, along with 10 rebounds and three assists.
“We need him to heal inside and out,” Malone said. “Going through something like that is not something you come back from easily. That’s something where you have to heal from the physical, but you also have to heal from the mental and what you just kind of went through.
“We want him back. We know we’re better off with him. But I want to support Aaron Gordon and make sure when he comes back, he’s ready to come back and play at the level that we know he’s capable.”
The Nuggets (22-10) will host the Grizzlies (10-19) on Thursday, followed by the Thunder (19-9) on Friday.
They’ll face the Hornets (7-21) on New Year’s Day.
The Nuggets are currently second in the Western Conference standings behind the Timberwolves (22-7).
