Nuggets' Gordon returns in loss to Clippers after 10-game absence

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon returned for Sunday's 126-122 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after missing 10 games due to a calf strain.

Gordon came off the bench, checking in at 4:34 mark of the first quarter. He recorded 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting and three assists in 23 minutes of action.

Nikola Jokic led the team in scoring with 28 points. All Nuggets players scored in double figures except for Russell Westbrook, who finished with nine points.

James Harden scored 39 points and dished out 11 assists. Norman Powell added 28 in his return from a hamstring injury.

Gordon averaged 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in seven games before suffering the injury.

The Nuggets went 6-4 with the 29-year-old out of the lineup and started third-year forward Peyton Watson, who averaged 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in Gordon's absence.

Gordon is in his fifth season with the club after coming over in a midseason trade from the Orlando Magic in 2021.

After a 2-3 start to the season, the Nuggets boast a 10-8 record.