Peyton Watson Expected Back Sunday for Nuggets
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Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson is on track to suit up Sunday after missing more than six weeks with a right hamstring strain, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The 23-year-old went down during a double-overtime loss at New York on February 4. Before the setback, he was enjoying a breakout fourth NBA season, starting 39 of 49 games and logging 30.7 minutes per night. Watson has been averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steal while shooting 49.6% from the field, 41.7% from three and 72.7% at the foul line.
Selected 30th overall in the 2022 draft, the wing will enter restricted free agency this summer if Denver extends a $6.53 million qualifying offer. That figure would rise to $9.62 million if he meets starter-criteria thresholds by opening two more games this season.
Watson’s absence has been one of several injury issues for Denver. Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valančiūnas have all missed extended time, contributing to an inconsistent campaign. The Nuggets began the year 20-6 but have gone 23-22 since, including Thursday’s rally from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Toronto.
“With what we have in the locker room, there’s no reason for us not to believe,” guard Jamal Murray said after the win. Head coach David Adelman echoed that confidence despite the team’s uneven play.
Denver enters the weekend at 43-28, holding the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
Source: Hoops Rumors
