Aaron Gordon spoke candidly about the tough decision to play through injury in the Thunder’s recent playoff exit. He revealed that his last 48 hours were focused on intensive recovery treatments like hot-cold contrast therapy, massage, and hyperbaric sessions to prepare for Game 7.
“I was pretty sure I was going to play,” Gordon said, explaining how he pushed through a strained hamstring despite the pain. The MRI initially showed a worse injury than he felt, but he was determined to be on the court for his team.
Though limited physically, Gordon acknowledged he wished he could have performed better. “I couldn’t sprint. I was trying to play a real old man game,” he said about his restricted movement during the game.
Reflecting on the season, Gordon expressed mixed emotions about the team’s effort but emphasized pride in their resilience. “We fought very hard, gave ourselves a chance to beat the number one seed,” he said, pointing to their hard-fought seven-game series against the Clippers.
Despite the loss, Gordon’s confidence in the team remains strong. “A couple plays here and there could have changed the series. My confidence doesn’t waver,” he noted, adding full trust in his teammates’ ability to reach their goals in the coming years.
He also praised interim coach David Adelman, hoping for stability in the coaching staff. “DA is great. He’s excellent for us, and I hope he’s here next year.”
Gordon highlighted the need for better recovery during the playoffs, suggesting longer rest days between games to reduce fatigue-related injuries. “It would be nice for just one or two more rest days throughout the postseason so we could come back fresh and compete,” he said.
He also spoke about the camaraderie within the team and the importance of having a high-character group around him. “The game is great, but what makes it special is just being around a great group of guys.”
Regarding his decision to play, Gordon said he was willing to risk aggravating the injury because he wanted to support his team through the series, even if it meant sitting out early games in the next round.
Finally, he reflected on personal growth this season without his brother by his side. “Just being able to compete is something in its own right,” he said.
