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Aaron Gordon is ‘back to work’ after concussion Friday

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on December 6, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on December 6, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon posted on Instagram he is “back to work” as he works his way through the concussion protocols and an eventual return to the court.

The Orlando Magic’s season seemed ready to take a turn for the worse as Aaron Gordon ran smack into Gary Harris‘ shoulder in the third quarter of Friday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Gordon was driving baseline and lost control of the ball, diving after it to try to preserve the possession. That is when he collided with Harris and fell on the floor. Gordon needed a few moments to get up before he gingerly made it to the free throw line. His lip and mouth were bloodied from the impact.

After a few more minutes, Gordon left the game and did not return officially diagnosed with a concussion. That will put Gordon in the NBA’s concussion protocols before he can return to the court. There is no timetable for his return because of that, it only matters how much he progresses and how he feels after each step of the process.

But Gordon is on his way back.

Sunday, with the team off following a back-to-back Friday and Saturday, Gordon posted on Instagram a photo of himself in the Magic practice facility at Amway Center with the caption “back to work.”

Everyone can connect the dots there. But things are not that simple in the concussion protocols.

Before the season begins, every player goes through baseline neurological tests so doctors can have a baseline for each player to compare to when they go through the protocol.

A player can begin going through the return-to-play process 24 hours after suffering the concussion, provided they are not showing any symptoms. They then must complete a series of increasingly more strenuous exercises, showing no concussion symptoms as reviewed by team training staff and NBA doctors.

First, a player must complete a biking regimen. Then a jogging regimen. Followed by agility drills. And finally, non-contact basketball drills. The player must pass each step compared to their baseline tests without showing concussion symptoms and then be cleared by the trainers and doctors.

Depending on how much you read into this photo, it would appear Gordon has passed on to at least the agility drills. That might be drawing too many conclusions, of course.

The advice Aaron Gordon received from Nikola Vucevic might be the most prescient. The Magic need Gordon back, but they need him back healthy.

Nikola Vucevic suffered a concussion a few years ago that was virtually debilitating. He remained in a dark room as he recovered and missed the rest of the season.

His advice is to make sure he gets back healthy. This is Gordon’s second concussion after he suffered one late in his second season.

"“I told him as soon as I saw him to take his time,” Vucevic said. “When it comes to an ankle, shoulder, knee, it’s sore you can play through it. You don’t play through a concussion. It’s not something you want to mess with. That’s your brain, it controls everything. I told him to make sure it’s 100 percent before he comes back. It’s not like an ankle where you can play through soreness. This you cannot risk it at all.”"

Gordon is certainly hungry to get back onto the court. He is eager to play and has put together a strong season — 18.5 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game and a 57.6 percent effective field goal percentage.

Gordon is working to get himself back. It is quite possible he is ready to go by Wednesday’s game against the LA Clippers. But there seems to be no sense in rushing things.

Next: Orlando Magic depth stretching thin as injuries mount

He will be ready when his body says he is ready.