The Nuggets will be without Peyton Watson for at least the rest of February, announcing today (via Twitter) that the reserve forward has been diagnosed with a right knee sprain.
Watson, who sustained the injury on Friday in the fourth quarter of Denver’s win over Philadelphia (video link), will be reevaluated in four weeks, according to the team.
A 2022 first-round pick, Watson has further solidified his place in the rotation in his third year with the Nuggets after averaging 18.6 minutes per game across 80 appearances in 2023/24. Through 48 games this season, he has averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 24.1 minutes per night, with a .471/.340/.752 shooting line.
Watson has been one of Denver’s more effective wing defenders, so his absence will have an adverse impact on the team on that end of the floor.
Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett, and Zeke Nnaji are among the candidates to play increased roles during Watson’s absence. All three players saw more action than usual in Saturday’s win in Charlotte, with Nnaji logging a season-high 22 minutes.
Denver is also currently missing guard Russell Westbrook, who will be out for a second straight game on Monday vs. New Orleans due to a strained left hamstring.