Injuries have been not just a nagging theme but a destabilizing epidemic on the Nuggets’ frontcourt depth chart since the first game of Summer League this year, when first-round draft pick DaRon Holmes II tore his Achilles tendon.

In a heartbeat, one potential solution to Nikola Jokic’s rest minutes was done for the year. Now a second possible solution is out long-term. Three games into an eye-opening string of performances from Vlatko Cancar, he re-injured his left knee in Memphis, eventually leading to an arthroscopic surgery that was performed this week. That seemingly leaves only one player whom Michael Malone trusts to perform backup center duties on a consistent basis.

The catch-22 is that Aaron Gordon probably shouldn’t be doubling up on roles this early in the season — in the immediate aftermath of his own injury. Especially when playing the five in Denver seems practically cursed (Jokic notwithstanding). Whether for performance or health reasons, nobody can stay on the court for long.

Gordon, 29, missed 10 games with a calf strain in November after walking off the court four minutes into a game at Ball Arena. He had been listed on Denver’s injury report as having calf inflammation before that game.

“I was trying to play through something I probably shouldn’t have played through,” Gordon told The Denver Post. “The whole side of my leg was bruised. I tried to play through it. My calf just took the brunt of it.”

He says it’s the kind of pain he has played through “all the time” throughout his life. But this time, it might’ve been a duly noted wake-up call. “I’m getting older now,” the power forward said.

The only irony within that comment was its timing. It was Tuesday night at Ball Arena. The Nuggets had just pulled off a riveting 119-115 comeback win over the Warriors. Gordon was a huge part of it. He had officially returned from his injury two days earlier against the Clippers, coming off the bench on a minutes restriction and playing a heavy dose of those minutes (23) as a center. Then against Golden State, he played almost 33.

“You’re getting play-making (back). You’re getting defense. You’re getting physical rebounding. And just a presence,” Malone said. “And obviously, second half, I probably went over the minutes restriction, but we needed a win, and he said he was good to go.”

Gordon is an exceptional talent, more of a superglue guy than your standard Elmer’s brand role player.

His presence in the second unit had restorative powers once again Thursday in Cleveland after Malone decided he couldn’t afford to leave Zeke Nnaji at center any longer. In the second half, for the third consecutive game since Gordon’s return, he was the five for Jokic’s entire rest stint.

“That’s something that we all know we’re pretty comfortable using him in that (role),” Malone said this week.

But how sustainable will that be if Gordon is also expected to play his regular rotations with the starting lineup?

That’s where Malone likes him most: playing off Jokic. Gordon’s minutes will require some sort of give-and-take if Malone decides this is the best path forward for Denver’s frontcourt. And even then, shortening the rotation to eight can have stamina-related ramifications for the entire lineup.

Gordon’s recovery was boring, in his terms.

“I shot 1,000 free throws, 2,000 free throws,” he said. “Probably 5,000 free throws. Hella free throws.”

They paid off with a pair of game-winners in the last minute against Golden State. The more pressing question was whether his 3-pointer would be the same as it was pre-injury. And sure enough, he answered that with an early heat check on Tuesday. In his first three games back, he shot 50% from the perimeter while averaging 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Gordon can play bully ball or the spot-up role. He can play the four or the five. He can defend a variety of positions on a team that has struggled to get stops all season. “You’ve gotta pay attention to detail. We’re (screwing) the gameplan up too many times,” he told The Post. “Just errors.” Having him back is a necessity for the Nuggets’ depth, perhaps even more so than for their starting lineup.

The pertinent question will be how Malone threads the needle between the two.