The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder gained 68 video games and went 16-8 through the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Solely two sequence went greater than 5 video games, with the Indiana Pacers pushing the defending champions to their limits within the championship spherical. Earlier than Indiana, nonetheless, it was the Denver Nuggets that went to seven.
With Peyton Watson rising as a dependable possibility for depth, scoring, athleticism, and protection alongside the wings, the Nuggets lastly have what they should end the job.
Watson turned in a robust 2024-25 marketing campaign with averages of 8.1 factors, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 0.7 steals per recreation on .477/.353/.693 taking pictures. There have been clear indicators of progress throughout his third season, with many even calling for him to obtain extra minutes.
Sadly, Watson struggled through the 2025 NBA Playoffs and performed simply 14.2 minutes per recreation because the Nuggets’ lack of preferrred depth turned too obvious to disregard.
He is turned a nook in 2025-26, nonetheless, making evident strides in a number of phases of the sport. He is scoring with extra quantity and effectivity, and past the numbers, has performed with extra confidence and assertiveness on each ends of the ground.
It is a course of that started when Christian Braun suffered an ankle harm on Nov. 11 and thus left the door open for Watson to lastly embrace his skills.
Peyton Watson turning the nook makes Nuggets contenders once more
Watson’s first 4 video games with out Braun had been an unlucky affirmation of how he tends to restrict himself on offense. Fortunately, he skilled a breakthrough when he went off to the tune of 32 factors, 12 rebounds, three asists, and a steal throughout a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Together with the 32-point eruption, Watson has now scored not less than 10 factors in eight of the previous 10 video games—and he scored 9 in every the 2 exceptions.
Watson’s latest surge features a 27-point efficiency in opposition to the Sacramento Kings and a trio of 15-point video games. He is now scored not less than 20 factors twice and a minimal of 15 factors in six video games between his 23 appearances through the 2025-26 season.
By comparability, Watson had one 20-point recreation and 9 outings with not less than 15 factors in 68 appearances a season in the past.
With a newfound confidence in his skill to place factors on the board and apply strain to opposing defenses, Watson has given Denver the instruments to contend. Key additions resembling Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas have been important, as nicely, however the Nuggets wanted an athletic youthful participant to hitch them in revamping the rotation.
Watson has checked that very field by trusting his instincts, taking pictures when he has the chance to take action, and using his 6’8″ body to trigger chaos on protection.
Watson is taking pictures 41.1 p.c on catch-and-shoot threes, and is displaying early indicators of defensive stopper potential. For perspective: The 5 gamers he is spent essentially the most partial possessions defending this season have been Pascal Siakam, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan, Josh Giddey, and Anthony Edwards—and so they’ve shot a mixed 18-of-43 from the sphere.
If Watson can proceed to excel as a two-way participant, Braun and Aaron Gordon can get wholesome, and Denver’s supporting forged can proceed to thrive, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray could have a shot at main the Nuggets previous the Thunder.
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