What happened to Aaron Gordon? Closer look at Nuggets star's injury

Denver Nuggets starting forward Aaron Gordon is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a calf injury, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Tuesday. According to the report, Gordon sustained the injury in their 121-119 win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday and only logged four minutes.

Gordon was forced to leave the game against Toronto due to discomfort in his right calf. According to reports, the forward was already battling inflammation and a contusion in his right knee before the game. At 7:44 in the first quarter, the 6-foot-8 star departed and finished with three points.

"A major injury blow to the Nuggets. I'm told that Aaron Gordon, he is out multiple weeks with a right calf strain and this is an injury he suffered last night. Gordon has been playing through an assortment of injuries really over the last week or so," Charania said.

Gordon has played better this year, averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He's also made the most out of his shots from deep, knocking down 54.5% of his 3-pointers on 3.1 attempts.

Gordon is now expected to miss the Nuggets' Wednesday game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Who will take over Aaron Gordon's starting spot for the Nuggets?

There aren't many alternatives available to the Nuggets to replace Aaron Gordon. The only players available to take over Gordon's starting spot are Dario Saric and Zeke Nnaji.

Saric's seasoned background might be the determining factor in his decision to assume Gordon's duties. Despite playing five games with the Nuggets, the forward hasn't contributed much. The big guy from Europe averages 1.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.

Saric has only scored twice this season and has more turnovers than assists.

The other option, Nnaji, hasn't stood out this season. The big man has played three games for Denver, averaging 2.7 points and 0.3 rebounds per game. He has averaged more points than Saric, but it's still not enough for the Nuggets to rely on him as a temporary starter.

Hunter Tyson, a sophomore forward in his second season from Clemson, is another player the Nuggets may want to use. Tyson has averaged 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in his four appearances this season. The two seasoned reserve players have not been as forceful as the youthful forward.

Gordon's extended absence gives the Nuggets more opportunity to try out the three players. Another possibility is for Christian Braun to start as the team's small forward and Michael Porter Jr. to start as the power forward.