Peyton Watson delivered the best performance of his young career, pouring in a career-high 35 points to lead the short-handed Denver Nuggets to a 107–97 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.
Jamal Murray added 24 points for Denver, which avoided its first three-game losing streak of the season. Jonas Valanciunas returned to the lineup after missing 11 games with a strained calf and finished with 16 points, while Aaron Gordon also scored 16. The Nuggets once again played without Nikola Jokic, who missed his 13th straight game with a hyperextended left knee.
Despite the absence of their two-time MVP, Denver controlled the game late behind Watson’s scoring punch. After Washington tied the game at 83 early in the fourth quarter on Alex Sarr’s free throw, the Nuggets responded with a decisive 9–0 run. Watson sparked the surge with a 3-pointer and followed with a midrange jumper to put Denver back in command.
Watson later eclipsed his previous career high of 32 points at the free-throw line with 1:50 remaining, shaking off an awkward fall earlier in the quarter during a contested dunk attempt.
Kyshawn George led Washington with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Tre Johnson added 19 points. The loss marked the Wizards’ eighth straight and dropped them to 10–33 on the season. Washington struggled offensively, shooting a season-worst 38.1% (32 of 84) from the field, and never led after halftime.
Up next:
The Nuggets visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, while the Wizards travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets on Saturday night.
