The Denver Nuggets barely escaped with a win in Saturday’s thrilling Game 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. 

Aaron Gordon spared the Nuggets from their blushes after they allowed the Clippers to mount a huge comeback in the fourth quarter. Thanks to Gordon’s incredible buzzer-beating putback dunk, Denver was able to scrape out the victory, 101-99, to tie the series at 2-2. 

These two teams go at it again on Tuesday in Game 5, and the bad news for the Nuggets is that they have been dealt a concerning blow ahead of the pivotal home matchup. 

This is after the team revealed via the official injury report that Russell Westbrook is in danger of sitting out Game 5. The former NBA MVP has been listed as questionable to play due to inflammation in his left foot, which is the same problem that forced him to sit out Game 4. 

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook reacts during a game.

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Westbrook is no longer the superstar he once was, but he has played a key role for the Nuggets all year long. In three games in the Clippers series, the nine-time All-Star has averaged 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 22.0 minutes off the bench. 

Westbrook has also been a legitimate threat from deep in this series, knocking down 2.0 triples per game on a 35.3% clip.  

The Nuggets had to lean heavily on Christian Braun with Westbrook out of action in Game 4, and the same could be the case on Tuesday if the 36-year-old veteran is forced to miss Tuesday’s showdown at Ball Arena. 

Denver will continue to monitor Westbrook’s health in the next 24 hours, which should lead them to a decision on whether or not he will be good to go for Game 5.