Aaron Gordon is giving opponents something to think about when they strategize against the Denver Nuggets.

The Los Angeles Lakers were far from the first team to commit multiple defenders to Nikola Jokic in hopes of slowing down the three-time Most Valuable Player. After Los Angeles’ 123-100 win Saturday in Denver, when Jokic attempted just seven shots, it’s unlikely the Lakers will be the last to try the strategy.

“They’re sending the house at Joker, so we’ve got to do a better job of getting him open, figuring out ways to get him more involved,” Gordon said.

Denver’s starting power forward did his part. Gordon has often been the player opposing teams have dared to beat them from the perimeter, and he’s never been a better jump shooter than this season.

“Just being aggressive and just being willing to shoot – even if he’s shooting 35%, 30% whatever it is – I think it’s a good thing,” Jokic said in the postgame locker room. “Just keep shooting and keep being a threat.”

After going 4 for 7 from 3-point range Saturday, Gordon is shooting just under 43% from 3-point range heading into Denver’s four-game road trip that starts Monday in Indiana. He’s never finished a season better than 35%, which he accomplished during the 2018-19 season, while he was still a member of the Magic.

“I think it’s real, because we’re in the end of February. Since the beginning of the season, until now, AG has shot the ball really well from the 3-point line,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

“Obviously, that was good to see, but when you get your butt kicked at home by that team, there’s no silver linings.”

There’s no secret to the increased efficiency. Shooting faster was the only change Gordon acknowledged making in the offseason. The rest of it comes down to drilling.

“Repetition,” Gordon said. “A lot of repetition, a lot of form shooting, free-throw work.”

The reps paid off early Saturday. After the Lakers jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first three minutes Saturday, Gordon caught a pass from Jamal Murray in the left corner. Rui Hachimura positioned himself between Jokic and the basket, while Jaxson Hayes sagged off Gordon, preventing an easy entry pass. Gordon took a minute to assess the situation before connecting on his first attempt from deep.

A couple of minutes later, Murray got the ball into Jokic, but a trio of Lakers mucked up the middle of the court. Jokic sprayed a pass to the right wing where an unguarded Gordon released a 3 that he knew was going down well before it swished through the net.

Two misses on clean attempts followed but didn’t dissuade Gordon from taking the next one. LeBron James opted to sag off Gordon in the right corner early in the third quarter and paid the price. Gordon’s final 3 came after Jamal Murray collapsed the defense and found Gordon unguarded in the corner.

At the buzzer, half of Gordon’s 24 points came from distance. The rest of his points came off five buckets from three feet or closer and a couple of free throws. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists in his 35 minutes on the court.

“It’s not just his 3. His 3, obviously, maybe got a little bit better, but I think it’s just his entire game. The way he picks his spots, how aggressive he is to the rim, free throws and still playing defense, he’s always having an all-around game each and every game even if he has a low point total or whatever. He’ still impacting the game in such a big way for us,” Murray said.

“We love to see it.”

A positive of personal development was downplayed after the Lakers’ defense helped snap Denver’s nine-game win streak, but Gordon continuing to shoot as he has through 34 games will give future opponents more to think about.

“It’s tough after a loss,” Gordon said.

“They were leaving me open, so I’ve got to do what I can do to make them pay.”

Nuggets injury report at Pacers

Jamal Murray – probable (left knee inflammation)

Aaron Gordon – probable (right calf injury management)

Peyton Watson – out (right knee sprain)

Vlatko Cancar – out (left knee surgery rehabilitation)

DaRon Holmes II – out (right Achilles tendon repair)

Trey Alexander – out (G League assignment)

PJ Hall – out (G League assignment)