Aaron Gordon provided an almost immovable object in front of the often-unstoppable force that is Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.
“There’s only a few human beings walking around that can deal with Zion Williamson, and Aaron’s one of them,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said after Denver’s 122-88 win over the Pelicans on Wednesday at Ball Arena. “We’re so blessed to have him in those situations.”
Williamson is listed at 6-foot-6 and 284 pounds and carries a rare combination of size and explosiveness. Gordon, 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, knows a thing or two about combining strength and burst.
“You got to match his physicality, let him kind of come to you. It was definitely a group effort. Everybody was loading. People were getting hands on the ball and making it difficult for him,” Gordon said.
“I’m just trying to make him finish over me.”
In the meaningful portion of the game, Adelman almost exclusively made sure Gordon was on the court whenever Williamson was playing. In the two games Williamson played previously this season, he averaged 27 points, 9.5 rebounds, six assists and four steals. He finished with 11 points on nine shots with two assists and one steal. He didn’t grab a rebound in 26 minutes.
“You can just match him up with those big bodies, you know. He’s a tough guy to go through. He still moves his feet really well. He was really locked into the game plan today, too,” Jamal Murray said of Gordon.
“He did a great job. It was a huge reason to our success.”
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, center, drives to the net between Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas, left, and guard Tim Hardaway Jr. in the second half of an NBA game Wednesday in Denver. (The Associated Press)
Gordon finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and three assists. He only took five shots, four of which came from 3-point range. He also provided a needed kick in the backside after the Nuggets allowed a 12-0 run to end the first half.
“He was the guy at halftime today barking at us a little bit, because we didn’t play well. That’s who he is. He can do a little bit of everything,” Christian Braun said.
“He’s perfect for us. You probably can’t find a better player for the Nuggets than Aaron Gordon.”
The others handled the scoring load. Nikola Jokic needed fewer than 28 minutes to start the season with a fourth consecutive triple-double, posting 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on 10-of-15 shooting. Jamal Murray and Braun added 17 points on 14 and 13 shots, respectively, while Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) and Jonas Valanciunas (10) gave the Nuggets two double-digit scorers off the bench.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, passes the ball as New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson defends in the second half of an NBA game Wednesday in Denver. (The Associated Press)
Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans with 21 points, while Williamson (11) and Yves Missi (10) were the only other Pelicans in double figures. The Pelicans are the final winless team in the Western Conference, and Denver took advantage with its best defensive performance of the season, led by its immovable object.
“We’re starting to understand what we’re trying to get to,” Gordon said. “There was like a little bit of lag time of the last defensive regime compared to this one. I like this one.”
NUGGETS 122, PELICANS 88
What happened: The Nuggets led by as many as 18 in the first half and settled for a 53-47 halftime lead. Denver blew the game open in the third to improve to 3-1, while New Orleans dropped to 0-4.
What went right: The Nuggets started the third quarter on a 29-2 run. It was a welcome development after the Pelicans scored the final 12 points of the second quarter.
What went wrong: New Orleans committed eight turnovers to Denver’s seven in the first half, but the Pelicans scored 11 points off the miscues to Denver’s four.
Highlight of the night: Braun added Pelicans center Yves Missi to his collection of posters late in the first quarter. A Nikola Jokic screen led to a switch, and Braun attacked the rim and elevated for a one-handed slam over the 6-foot-11 Missi.
Up next: The Nuggets are off to Portland for Friday’s game against the Trail Blazers.
