The Denver Nuggets, even though well-placed in the West, are never out of hunger to win, and the 39-21 record is a testament to their success this season. But this time, the clash is not against anyone else, but their East counterpart, Celtics! But can the Nuggets crush the Celtics’ morale as the latter looks to come back to their winning ways? It won’t be easy without their best men at work, because the Boston Celtics are different gravy. The Nugs will need some backup. But who besides Nikola Jokic (triple-double against the Pistons) to help the Nuggets? Well, coach Michael Malone has issued an update on forward Aaron Gordon’s availability. Guess what?

During their recent 121-112 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Aaron Gordon rolled his left ankle. He left the floor mid-game in obvious discomfort, with Malone saying that he “wasn’t moving the way we’ve become accustomed to seeing [Gordon] move.” This seems like a wake-up call for Denver, as it adds to the list of injuries they’re already persisting with. Gordon, Cancar, Watson, Nnaji, Hall, and Homes II make 5.

Air Gordon’s already missed out on their win against the Pistons. But Malone has shifted the situation to a game-time basis, meaning the injury has relatively healed and there’s a chance we could see him fly at the TD Garden, but exact updates on his situation will be made closer to the start of the Celtics game. They’ve just leapfrogged the Grizzlies into 2nd in the West, and they could do with giving Aaron some rest to keep him fully fit for the backend of the season.

He’s been balling this season. With 12.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG while shooting with a 51.1 FG%, he seems primed to be the one to take the Nuggets to championship glory.

Nuggets vs Celtics: Battle of the penultimates

Both teams go into the game as the 2nd seeds in their respective conferences. They’re the last 2 champions of the NBA. You can bet that a brawl will be taking place at the TD Garden tonight.

Another way to look at it would be the clash of the titans- Jokic vs Tatum. The Joker’s season has been nothing short of historic. He’s averaging a triple-double a season, and he’s also off his last two games being triple-doubles. He’s really setting his case be the 4th player in history to win a 3-peat of MVPs, after Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird.

As for the Celtics’ No. 0, he could be making his own case for an outside shot at the MVP honours. The Greens are coming off a back-to-back losses, only time second time they’ve done that season. But the Jayson Tatum‘s side of the coin is much different. The match against top dogs Cleveland Cavaliers saw the Celtics lose 123–116, but saw JT record season-highs pf 46 points and 16 rebounds along with nine assists and three blocks.

Aaron Gordon’s inclusion will be a huge plus to Michael Malone’s game strategy against the Boston Celtics. He is a key player to the system. The experience he brings to the youngsters in the team to partner Nikola Jokic will be the catalyst in their championship run this season.