Nuggets forward Peyton Watson is set to make his return this Sunday after being sidelined for over six weeks due to a right hamstring strain. This news, reported by Shams Charania, brings a significant boost to Denver as they prepare for their upcoming game.
Before his injury, Watson was in the midst of a breakout fourth season. He sustained the injury during a tough double-overtime loss against New York back in February. In his 49 appearances this season, including 39 starts, Watson has been a key player for Denver, averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steal per game, with shooting splits of .496/.417/.727.
As the 30th pick in the 2022 draft, Watson's future is also a topic of interest. He’s on track to become a restricted free agent this summer, pending a qualifying offer. If he meets the starter criteria by starting two more games, his qualifying offer could jump from $6.53 million to $9.62 million.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Nuggets this season, affecting key players like Watson, Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, and Jonas Valanciunas. This has contributed to their inconsistency. The team started strong with a 20-6 record but has since experienced a mixed run, going 23-22.
Their recent game against Toronto was a perfect example of their rollercoaster season. Trailing by nine points entering the fourth quarter, Denver managed to rally for a comeback victory. Despite the ups and downs, head coach David Adelman remains optimistic, expressing "extreme confidence" in his squad.
Jamal Murray echoed this sentiment, stating, "With what we have in the locker room, there’s no reason for us not to believe." The Nuggets are clearly focused on finding their rhythm as they head into the final stretch of the season.