After failing to come to terms on a rookie scale extension with the Nuggets over the summer, Peyton Watson opened the season with modest production, averaging 6.4 points while shooting .441/.263/.720 across his first 13 games.
But with Christian Braun sidelined by a left ankle sprain and Aaron Gordon out for hamstring injury management on Wednesday, Watson was given more offensive responsibility – and he capitalized in a major way.
As Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports, Watson delivered a career performance, scoring 32 points on an efficient 13-of-19 from the field.
“I knew there was gonna be a need for me to kind of increase my offensive load a little bit. I didn’t have any idea that I was gonna have 30,” Watson said, noting that he had never scored more than 24 points in any game during his previous three-plus NBA seasons.
Even when he isn’t scoring, Watson has carved out a consistent rotation role thanks to his defensive impact. He currently leads Denver in blocks per game (1.1) and ranks third in steals (1.1), trailing only Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
On Wednesday, though, New Orleans gave him space on the perimeter – and he made them pay, knocking down a career-best five three-pointers on nine attempts.
“I went to him,” Bruce Brown said. “I was like, ‘Look, they’re gonna give you 10 (attempts). I know you’re gonna hit four or five of them. So keep shooting.’ That’s what he did.”
Brown went on to say “this should be a big year” for Watson, emphasizing that he looks more confident and assertive than in prior seasons.
“You can tell he’s been in the league for multiple years,” Brown added.
Nuggets Notes: Watson, Nnaji, Johnson, Barea, Depth https://t.co/g6QNW8qlJT pic.twitter.com/m1mFrPqH6L
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 20, 2025
