After suffering the fourth or fifth concussion of his life on Friday, Aaron Gordon said he's free of symptoms and hopes to complete the NBA's concussion protocol in time to play in the Orlando Magic's game Wednesday night.
"You always want to be cautious, especially something to your head," Gordon said Monday.
"It's dangerous. Concussions are dangerous _ anything with the brain. But I feel better, so I'm going through the concussion protocol and we'll see if I can get back. But there's no rush. Orlando does a great job of taking care of me, making sure that my health and safety is first and foremost, so I appreciate them. But, no, I'm not a go-slow type of guy."
Gordon sustained his latest concussion when he collided face-first into the left shoulder of Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris on Friday.
Gordon remained in the game for five additional minutes, but he and Magic athletic-training personnel realized something was wrong because he was forgetting the team's plays.
The 22-year-old forward said he experienced tooth numbness, a headache, and "fogginess" that felt "almost like a dream state."
According to NBA rules, a player may not return from a concussion until he undergoes a series of progressively more strenuous physical tests and remains symptom-free during and after each test.
On Sunday, Gordon pedaled a stationary bike. On Monday afternoon, he ran extensively on a treadmill and did some full-court running as he dribbled a basketball.
Gordon suffered one other concussion as a pro, late in the 2015-16 season, and missed three games as a result.
This concussion, Gordon said, is mild.
"I'm showing no symptoms," Gordon said. "I feel good. So I'll leave it up to the doctors."
