WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nobody was happier about the return of Jonas Valanciunas than Aaron Gordon. Masquerading as a center isn’t exactly his preferred use of time. He does it reasonably well when needed — remember the 2023 NBA playoffs? — but it takes a toll on him. Gordon is in his 30s now. He has responsibilities that he didn’t used to have. He has to take care of his calves. His hamstrings. “Banging against a 7-footer? Like a 7-foot, 275-pound man? Nah. What makes you think I’d be tired?” he said when asked if he gets tired of his minutes at center — a bluntly honest if sardonic assessment. He couldn’t contain his smile, even while donning a sarcastic tone. Those minutes were finally on the downturn Thursday night, with actual center Valanciunas returning to the Nuggets’ rotation after an 11-game absence. Usually the backup to Nikola Jokic, Valanciunas started alongside Gordon in a 107-97 win over the Wizards in his first game back from a right calf strain. Jokic (left knee) might not be far behind, judging by the ease with which he went through a pregame shooting routine in his latest recovery development. “He pushes me back to the four,” Gordon said eagerly when the topic of Val’s return came up. “It’s nice having somebody bigger on the floor than me. On the defensive end, on the glass, on the offensive end. … I can play big-big pick-and-roll again. I mean, he’s a fantastic player. And it’s nice…
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