Nuggets rule Gordon out of Game 3 with calf tightness

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon was ruled out of Game 3 of the first-round NBA playoff series at Minnesota because of tightness in his left calf muscle.

The Nuggets downgraded the 12th-year veteran from questionable to doubtful before coach David Adelman declared him out.

Spencer Jones took Gordon’s place in the starting lineup after totaling just 19 minutes over the first two games.

Gordon felt the injury after scoring eight points in Denver’s Game 2 loss that allowed Minnesota to tie the series.

The Nuggets have also been without forward Peyton Watson for the series because of a strained hamstring.