Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Making most of opportunity
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Watson amassed 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Friday's 135-122 win over the Heat.
With Aaron Gordon (calf) sidelined, Watson has seen an increased role over the last three games. During that stretch, he's averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals in 32.7 minutes per game. Watson is locked into a starting role until Gordon returns, and the third-year forward's defensive prowess makes him an intriguing fantasy option.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Running with starters Wednesday
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Watson is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game versus Oklahoma City.
Watson steps in with Aaron Gordon (calf) unavailable. Wednesday will mark his first start of the season and the seventh of his three-year NBA career. He is joined by Russell Westbrook, Christian Braun, Michael Porter and Nikola Jokic in the first unit for a limited Denver squad.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Steps up off bench
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Watson notched 16 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-9 FT), three rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 31 minutes during Monday's 121-119 win over the Raptors.
Aaron Gordon left this game after four minutes with a calf strain, so Watson took advantage and posted a season-high mark of 16 points in 31 minutes. Watson has a strong per-minute upside because of his steal and block rates, so he's someone to keep an eye on if Gordon ends up missing more time.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Chips in seven points
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Watson supplied seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and two rebounds over 20 minutes during Tuesday's 144-139 overtime victory over Brooklyn.
Watson logged a season-high 20 minutes of action Tuesday. A stellar defender, Watson incrementally improving his offensive game will be something to monitor throughout Denver's season.
Watson (hamstring) will be a full go for Thursday's game against the Thunder, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports.
Watson practiced Sunday and participated in Monday's 5-on-5 scrimmage. Watson could be a key part of Denver's second unit after averaging 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 18.6 minutes across 80 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Full participant in practice Sunday
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Coach Michael Malone said Watson (hamstring) participated fully in practice for the first time in five weeks Sunday, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports.
Watson is dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, though his full participation in practice bodes well for his potential return to game action in Thursday's regular-season opener against the Thunder. The 22-year-old was limited during training camp and did not appear in a single preseason game, but he will likely return for Opening Night as the club's backup power forward behind Aaron Gordon.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Won't play Thursday
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Watson (hamstring) won't be available for Thursday's preseason game against the Timberwolves, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.
Watson continues to recover from a nagging hamstring injury, and he'll end the preseason without suiting up in any game. He's been ramping up his activity in practice, but it remains to be seen if he'll be available for the regular-season opener against the Thunder on Oct. 24.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Out again Tuesday
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Watson (hamstring) will not play in Tuesday's preseason game versus the Thunder.
While Watson has yet to appear in a preseason game, his activity in practice has been ramping up as the start of the regular season nears. His next (and final) opportunity to partake in preseason action will be Thursday night against the Timberwolves.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Remains sidelined
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Watson (hamstring) didn't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Suns.
Watson has yet to debut during the preseason due to a lingering hamstring injury. He's been doing 3-on-3 work at practice, but it's unclear when he'll be ready for game action. His next opportunity to return will come Tuesday against the Thunder.
The Nuggets picked up Watson's (hamstring) $4.36 million team option for 2025-26 on Thursday, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.
Watson is officially on the books for Denver for two more seasons after averaging 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 18.6 minutes across 80 appearances during his second NBA campaign in 2023-24. He'll likely serve as one of the Nuggets' top big men off the bench during the upcoming season.
Watson (hamstring) didn't play in Sunday's 130-104 preseason loss to the Celtics in Abu Dhabi.
Watson has been dealing with a minor hamstring injury, limiting his participation in training camp. The 22-year-old is expected back for the start of the regular season, though his status for next Sunday's preseason game against the Suns is unclear.
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Nuggets' Peyton Watson: Absent from preseason opener
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Watson (hamstring) didn't play in Friday's preseason opener against the Celtics.
Watson has also been absent from practice due to minor hamstring discomfort, so it wasn't surprising to see him sit out Friday's preseason opener. His next chance to suit up will be Sunday's preseason rematch with Boston.
Watson didn't participate in Friday's practice due to minor hamstring discomfort, Adam Mares of DenverStiffs.com reports.
Watson's injury being described as "minor" indicates he isn't in danger of missing any regular-season action, though the 22-year-old forward is expected to miss at least the first two preseason matchups. Watson will be a primary backup in Denver's forward rotation this season.
