Peyton Watson (hamstring) is the newest injury concern for the Nuggets.
NEW YORK — The Denver Nuggets have, regrettably, become accustomed to competing without injured players this season.
While Wednesday night’s exhilarating 134-127 double overtime win for the New York Knicks against the Nuggets at Madison Square Garden was highly entertaining, the aftermath for Denver includes another injury that seems likely to result in a prolonged absence: a hamstring issue for forward Peyton Watson, who had to exit in the fourth quarter.
“We’re waiting to see the MRI,” Nuggets coach David Adelman stated after the game when asked about Watson’s condition. “But it’s just been so prevalent this year. I feel for the guys in the locker room.”
“It’s disheartening when you keep witnessing teammates go down while you’re trying to progress.”
Watson, who did not address the media following the game, recorded 10 points and 5 rebounds before leaving with 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. His injury follows a strong performance streak over recent weeks, during which he has been a reliable starter in place of Aaron Gordon, who has missed several weeks due to a hamstring injury that he recently re-aggravated.
Since the beginning of 2026, Watson has been showcasing the best basketball of his career, averaging 21.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game for Denver, which has also faced injuries to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, starting guard Christian Braun, and backup center Jonas Valanciunas this season, in addition to Gordon’s ongoing absences.
“It’s just the next phase,” Adelman remarked. “We’ll need to reassess the starting lineup, reevaluate the rotation, and get ourselves to the break for a substantial rest.”
There will certainly be a necessity for the team’s two All-Stars, Jokic and Jamal Murray, to take a break after this game, as Murray scored 39 points in 48 minutes and Jokic achieved a 30-point triple-double in 45 minutes of play.
In his initial three games back after missing a month due to a bone bruise in his knee, Jokic had logged 24, 29, and 32 minutes for Denver, but he indicated that he felt good after his minutes increased significantly on Wednesday night when the game extended into double overtime.
“I feel good,” Jokic stated. “I don’t feel any fatigue … I believe we have muscle memory in my body [when returning from injury]. We’re accustomed to playing.”
However, they will now need to readjust to playing without another significant contributor in Watson.
“Another player has to rise to the occasion,” Jokic noted. “It’s a saying, but it truly is like that. So we need to be ready.
“Every player must embrace their role and contribute. Don’t be passive when you’re out there; be aggressive. … When you’re on the court, just play hard.”
Watson’s injury was not the only setback for Denver on Wednesday, as two-way forward Spencer Jones — who reached his game limit that night and will need to be converted once Denver clears a roster spot by Thursday’s trade deadline — also left the game to be evaluated for a concussion after colliding heads with Karl-Anthony Towns when New York’s All-Star center attempted to drive to the basket in the first half.
Towns would leave to address a cut on his forehead before eventually returning to the game and fouling out after contributing 24 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes on Wednesday. However, it was Jalen Brunson who shone brightest, scoring 10 points in the second overtime and finishing with 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists to lead New York to its eighth consecutive victory.
“That’s what an MVP candidate does,” Knicks coach Mike Brown commented. “On a significant stage, on a back-to-back, he demonstrated once again why he should be among the first mentioned when discussing MVP candidates.”
