According to a statement by the Denver Nuggets, forward Aaron Gordon “suffered lacerations to his face and hand” after from a dog attack on Dec. 25, 2023. The former 2014 first-round pick is reportedly in “good condition” and will miss an unspecified amount of time as he recovers. The Athletic’s Shams Charania stated Gordon needed 21 stitches (via Denver Stiffs).
At the time of his injury, Gordon was averaging 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting almost 53% from the floor (via ESPN).
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone addresses Aaron Gordon’s injuries
After Wednesday’s practice, Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone addressed reporters about Aaron Gordon’s injury and his timetable for return.
“We need him to heal inside and out,” Malone said in a video posted by Nuggets reporter Katy Winge. “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.”
Although Malone said the team is “better off with” Gordon, the 2023 NBA champion coach’s priority now is Gordon’s health. “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,” Malone continued.
Aaron Gordon explains his dog bite injury
Gordon returned to the Nuggets for practice and revealed the dog that bit him was a four-year-old Rottweiler he adopted as a puppy. “I love dogs. I grew up with dogs my whole life,” he said (The Denver Post). “But because we’re on the road so much, my dad’s taking care of him, so I can’t really train him how I need him to be. … But I feel good. Everything is fine.”
Gordon explained that he “a little bit too much eggnog” and was “roughhousing” with the Rottweiler. “I think my dog got a little excited and just basically chomped down. Gave me a bite. And I was basically wrestling him off of me, and then he bit my hand,” he said.
The reigning NBA champion ultimately blamed himself for the incident. “For lack of better words,” he said, “I was (messing) around with my dog, and when you (mess) around, you find out.”
