A hot start and clutch finish were cause for celebration in Aaron Gordon’s return to the Nuggets’ starting lineup.

After scoring nine of his 15 points in the first five minutes, Gordon, who returned to Denver’s starting lineup for the first time since he strained his right calf in the Nov. 4 game against Toronto, helped the Nuggets complete the comeback in a 119-115 win over the Warriors. He dished out a couple of assists and scored his final four points as part of Denver’s 21-6 closing run in the final six minutes. The middle portion of the game was quiet, but that’s no problem for Gordon.

“This team has so many great players that you just got to consistently be ready,” Gordon told the Denver Gazette in the postgame locker room. “Some nights it’s going to be your night. Some quarters it’s going to be your quarter. It’s not always going to be your time to go. There were opportunities that I passed up, too, so it’s partly on me to stay aggressive.”

Gordon’s fourth assist went to Michael Porter Jr., whose 3-pointer brought the Nuggets within six with five minutes to go. Gordon’s fifth and final assist went to Nikola Jokic, who cut it to five via a three-point play with 4:22 to go.

Then, Gordon got back to scoring. He cut for a dunk that made it a four-point game in the final three minutes. Despite starting the night 2 of 4 from the free-throw line, Gordon stepped up and hit the go-ahead free throws with 49 seconds left.

While he couldn’t do much during his time off, spending time at the line was one thing the career 68.5% free-throw shooter could do during a challenging absence.

“It’s tough, because you know basketball is such a sanctuary for a lot of us. We use it as an escape. So, not being able to use that as an escape is tough,” Gordon said. “I just spent time with my nephews. Then, I just worked out the best I could, shot a bunch of free throws, and it paid off.”

The 29-year-old finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists in nearly 33 minutes of playing time.

“I probably went over the minutes restriction, but we needed a win, and he said he was good to go,” Malone said.

Gordon played his typical role as a good soldier even though some of his second-half minutes had him playing back-up center again.

“I’m good,” Gordon said.

“I’m ready. My legs were a little heavy at the start of that fourth quarter, but I’m ready to go. I’m just doing what is asked of me.”

Denver’s regular starting lineup — Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Gordon and Jokic – started together for the sixth time in 19 games. Thursday’s game marked the first time that group started together since the Nov. 1 game in Minnesota. Jokic led the Nuggets with 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals. Porter added 22 points and seven rebounds, while Murray (12) and Braun (11) made sure all five starters scored in double figures.

Gordon looked like he didn’t miss a beat early. He entered the game leading the Nuggets with a 54.2% mark from 3-point range in his first eight games and improved that number by making his first three triples in the first five minutes against the Warriors. He didn’t attempt another shot in the first half but added three rebounds and a couple of assists in 16 minutes of playing time before halftime.

A couple of trips to the free-throw line helped Gordon reach double-digit points in the third quarter before he helped close out the Warriors in his first game back in the starting five.

“Aaron Gordon was great,” Malone said.

“You’re getting playmaking. You’re getting defense. You’re getting physical rebounding and just a presence.”

NUGGETS 119, WARRIORS 115

What happened: Denver led by two after the first quarter but had to fight off a slow start in the second quarter to tie the game at 57 by halftime. The Nuggets led by five to start the fourth but trailed in the final minutes until Nikola Jokic’s jumper tied the game with 1:17 left. Aaron Gordon put the Nuggets in front from the free throw line with 49 seconds left. Denver improved to 11-8 with the win.

What went right: With the Nuggets up two in the final minute, Michael Malone subbed Russell Westbrook in for Michael Porter Jr. on a defensive possession. After Andrew Wiggins fell, Westbrook dove on the court to force a turnover. Jokic’s free throws on the other end helped secure the win.

What went wrong: Due to other results around the league, the Nuggets were eliminated from NBA Cup contention during the first half. Golden State had already clinched Group C before tipoff thanks to a 3-0 start. The Rockets, Thunder and Mavericks advanced to the knockout stage from the Western Conference.

Highlight of the night: Jamal Murray looked like his old self early in the third quarter. Gordon hit Murray on a baseline cut, and Murray jumped from one side of the lane to the other before throwing down a strong, one-handed dunk. He celebrated the slam with a flex and a roar.

Up next: The Nuggets return to the road for Thursday’s game against the Cavaliers in Cleveland.