LA JOLLA, Calif. – Heat can both make clay more malleable and more solid depending on the temperature, and Aaron Gordon spent the summer sweating in hopes of becoming more flexible and sturdier.

Friday vs. the New York Knicks marked the first time in 53 games the Nuggets had their opening day starting lineup fully healthy.

Gordon is perhaps the most important role player in the NBA, and Denver needs him to be healthy to have any shot at the title.