Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said there was no one to blame but himself for his dog biting him on Christmas. Gordon explained what happened in the unfortunate incident.

“I guess it’s a little bit embarrassing, but not too embarrassing to where I can’t talk about it,” he said. “I don’t drink a lot during the season. I probably had a little bit too much eggnog. I was kind of roughhousing with my dog, and I think my dog got a little excited and just basically chomped down. Gave me a bite. And I was basically wrestling him off of me, and then he bit my hand.

“For lack of better words, I was (messing) around with my dog, and when you (mess) around, you find out.”

Gordon has 21 stitches after the bit, most of them in his right hand. Gordon said those are the ones he's concerned about, because that's his shooting hand. The veteran forward said he's played with stitches in the hand before, and as soon as he can handle the pain, he'll return.

“I’ve played with stitches in my hand before, so that’s not new to me,” Gordon said. “I don’t really care about the stitches on my face. We’re not running a pageant here.”

The Nuggets forward also said he doesn't blame his dog for what happened either.

“He’s a good boy. He’s a good dog,” Gordon said. “Very attached. Very sweet. Very strong. Great dog.”

The Christmas Day game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics averaged 5 million viewers, representing an 18% decline from last year's window. Despite the decline, it was the most watched game of the season thus far. 

At least four out of the five games saw a decline from last year, with figures not available for the Warriors-Nuggets matchup.

The opening game between the Bucks and Knicks averaged 2.49 million viewers, down 39% from the Sixers-Knicks last year.

The Mavs-Suns game was down 42% with 1.47 million viewers, with the Sixers-Heat down 73% with 1.3 million viewers.

All three NFL games on Monday averaged more than 27 million viewers. 

Aaron Gordon suffered lacerations to his face and hand from a dog bite on Christmas Day. Gordon needed 21 stitches following the incident.

Gordon will remain away from the Denver Nuggets while he recovers. Gordon is described as being in good condition.

Nikola Jokic has signed a multi-year signature shoe deal with 361 that will make him a leading endorser of the Chinese brand.

Jokic was previously with Nike, who released a social media post after the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 Finals.

Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum have been named the NBA Players of the Month for October/November.

Jokic averaged 29.0 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.2 assists for the Denver Nuggets.

Tatum averaged 27.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Boston Celtics.