Nuggets' Gordon starts vs. Knicks after 17-game absence

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon returned to the starting lineup for Friday's contest against the New York Knicks.

Gordon had missed the last 17 games with a right hamstring strain. He hadn't played since Jan. 23, when he re-aggravated the injury that previously forced him to more than a month of action.

Denver is 17-6 with Gordon in the lineup this season.

The 30-year-old has been productive on both ends of the floor when available, averaging a career-high 17.7 points and shooting 40% from beyond the arc across 23 appearances this season. The Nuggets are surrendering 8.2 fewer points per 100 possessions when Gordon's on the court.