Peyton Watson is getting his chance in the Denver Nuggets starting lineup because of injury, and due to a second lump, the former UCLA Bruin moved up the pecking order — Watson made the most of it, going off for a career night in a 125-118 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Watson, who is starting in place of fellow 2022 first-round pick Christian Braun, tallied both career highs in points, 32, and in rebounds, 12 — the first double-double of the forward’s career. Braun is expected to miss the rest of the calendar year with an ankle sprain he suffered last week. Watson’s responsibilities were further elevated on Wednesday due to the absence of Aaron Gordon, sitting with a hamstring issue.
“Tonight was Peyton’s night,” David Adelman said. “He did a great job. He scored behind the defense with dunks and in transition, and he’s very efficient from three, finding the open spots by being spaced properly, which you always get rewarded for if you do that.”
Nikola Jokic again tallied a triple-double before the end of the third quarter. It was the 14th stat-stuffing feat of his career against the New Orelnols Pelicans, torching them more than anyone else. It was Jokic’s ninth triple-double this season and 194th of his career, including the postseason, trailing just Russell Westbrook’s 217 for most all time. Joker finished with 28 points on 18 shots, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. He checked out with a few minutes remaining because he fouled out, something he hadn’t done in nearly two years.
“He was awesome, there’s times, he fouls out of this game, where he shoots seven free throws. I just, there’s times I think he could have shot 20-something free throws, but it doesn’t happen but no, he was good,” Adelman said before pointing out the Nuggets 20 turnovers. “but the whole team as a collective we have to take care of the ball better in a game on the road, having 20 mistakes is too many.”
Jokic and Watson helped erase an early double-digit Pels lead that came on the back of a 17-2 first-quarter run. After that, it was pretty much all Nuggets besides a late 14-2 run by the Pels to tighten the game from 19 points to just two possessions. Zeke Nnaji started in place of Gordon but was quiet, while all of Jamal Murray, Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown and Jonas Valanciunas, who closed for Joker and hit a big shot, all added double figures to support the surprising starring duo. And unlike Monday’s loss, the bench was much better, scoring 33 points.
The Nuggets moved to 11-3.
What’s next for the Nuggets?
The Nuggets travel to Houston for a big-time NBA Cup showdown against the Houston Rockets on Friday; it’s a matchup of the second and third-place teams in the West. The Nuggets are back home on Saturday, hosting the Sacramento Kings.
