Fourth-year swingman Peyton Watson won’t play in Game 1 of the Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves playoff series on Saturday. However, Denver’s best 3-and-D player this season hasn’t been totally ruled out for the first-round series as he recovers from a recurring hamstring injury.
Earlier this week, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said that Watson and Spencer Jones — also dealing with hamstring strains — engaged in non-contact practice and were trending toward a return.
However, Watson may have suffered a setback in his rehab process. Per Nuggets beat writer Adam Mares, Watson could miss the entire series against the Timberwolves.
“I don’t expect [Peyton Watson] back in the series.” Mares reported on Friday.
“I think he’s going to miss the entire thing.”
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 1
While Jones is listed as questionable for Game 1, Watson has been ruled out.
Watson, who played only five games after the All-Star break, may be a non-factor even if he returns at any point during the Timberwolves series due to rust.
With Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson no longer on a minutes restriction, the Nuggets are deep enough to remain competitive until Watson’s return. Oddsmakers and a large share of NBA analysts expect Nikola Jokic and Co. to avenge their 2024 loss to the Timberwolves and advance to the second round.
A panel of 14 ESPN writers all picked the Nuggets to win their first-round series.
Nuggets Favored to Win Series
ESPN’s Zach Krim predicts the Nuggets would complete a gentleman’s sweep over Anthony Edwards and Co.
“Once upon a time, Minnesota had Denver’s number, going 8-3 against the Nuggets between the 2024 postseason and 2024-25 campaign. But the Nuggets handled the Timberwolves better this season, winning three of four meetings, and their only loss came with Aaron Gordon out.
“The Nuggets enter the playoffs on a 12-game winning streak, while Minnesota stumbled to the finish line. And Denver has the advantage in this series because Gordon is healthy and the Timberwolves’ multi-big defensive strategy against Nikola Jokic has lost its effectiveness. Jokic averaged 36 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists and 65% shooting against Minnesota this season.”
Ahead of Game 1, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert said he was glad his team was being written off by oddsmakers and pundits.
“We know that not a lot of people are believing in us to accomplish this, but we do believe in ourselves,” Gobert said, via NBA.com.
“We have a bunch of underdogs, a bunch of guys who beat the odds in life, and that’s part of who we are, so we’re embracing that challenge and that opportunity.”
Game 1 of the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves series tips off at 2:30 PM CT on Prime Video.
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