Chet Holmgren just earned his first All-Star nod-a milestone moment for the Thunder’s rising star. But in Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets, it was Peyton Watson who made the early statement.
With the Nuggets back at full strength-Nikola Jokic returning to the lineup after missing time-Denver was looking to notch its third straight win. Oklahoma City also got a boost with Isaiah Hartenstein back in the mix. Given the way both teams have been playing, this one had the feel of a potential Western Conference Finals preview.
And right out of the gate, Watson brought the energy.
Midway through the first quarter, Jokic found Watson on a textbook cut to the rim. What followed was a highlight-reel dunk-Watson elevating and throwing it down with authority right over Holmgren. No hesitation from the Thunder big man, who challenged the play, but Watson met him at the summit and won that battle emphatically.
That dunk wasn’t just a poster moment-it was a message. Watson has been quietly building a strong case for Most Improved Player this season, and performances like this one are turning heads across the league.
With Denver dealing with a revolving door of injuries-Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Jonas Valanciunas, and Cameron Johnson have all missed time-Watson has stepped into a bigger role and run with it. He’s proving he can contribute in multiple facets of the game when given consistent minutes.
PEYTON WATSON THROWS IT DOWN OVER CHET HOLMGREN 😱pic.twitter.com/sGpU2Zu7i0
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 2, 2026
Now in his fourth year, the 23-year-old forward is averaging 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks over 30.3 minutes a night. Those are solid numbers, but it’s the eye test that really tells the story.
Watson’s confidence is growing, and he’s playing with a purpose. He’s credited Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant as a major influence in his development, and that mentorship is clearly paying off.
He may not be an All-Star-at least not yet-but Watson’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s earning the respect of his peers and building a strong case for a big payday when he hits free agency at season’s end.
At halftime, the Thunder led the Nuggets 62-55, but Watson was Denver’s bright spot with a team-high 13 points. If he keeps playing like this, it won’t be long before his name is mentioned in the same breath as the league’s rising stars.