Peyton Watson’s Career Night Rescues Nuggets in Gritty Win Over Wizards 107-97

If you asked anyone in the Nuggets’ locker room before tip-off how they felt about Thursday night’s matchup in Washington, the answer probably wouldn’t have been brimming with confidence. Denver was limping into the Capital One Arena—quite literally. No Nikola Jokic for the 13th straight game. The team was staring down the barrel of a potential three-game losing streak. The vibes were, to put it mildly, tense.

But sometimes, when the MVP is in street clothes and the offense feels stagnant, you find a spark in the most unexpected places. On this night, that spark was Peyton Watson, who put the team on his back and carried the Nuggets to a hard-fought 107-97 victory over the Wizards.

A Star Turn for Watson

Let’s be real: losing Nikola Jokic leaves a void that’s impossible to fill. You don’t just replace a triple-double machine with a “next man up” mentality. It requires a collective reinvention. But what we saw from Peyton Watson wasn’t just filling a gap; it was a statement. Watson exploded for a career-high 35 points, knocking down six three-pointers and looking every bit like the dynamic wing defender-turned-scorer Denver has been waiting for.

Every time the Wizards threatened to take control—especially when they knotted the game up at 83 early in the fourth quarter—Watson had an answer. He hit a massive three. He drained a jumper. He attacked the rim. He finished the night shooting 10-of-16 from the field, adding eight rebounds and four blocks to a stat line that screams “breakout game.”

There was a moment late in the fourth, with just under two minutes left, that defined his night. Watson took a nasty fall after a contested dunk attempt. Nuggets fans held their breath. But he got up, shook it off, and sank the free throw to eclipse his previous career-high. That’s the kind of grit this team needs right now.

Murray and Gordon Steady the Ship

While Watson stole the headlines, you can’t overlook the steady hands of the veterans. Jamal Murray, often the emotional barometer for this squad, chipped in with 24 points. He wasn’t perfect—four turnovers will bug him when he watches the film—but his ability to create offense when the plays broke down was crucial.

Then there was Aaron Gordon. With Jokic out, Gordon’s role shifts dramatically. He has to be a playmaker, a rebounder, and a scorer all at once. His 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists were the glue that held the Nuggets together. And let’s not forget the return of Jonas Valanciunas. After missing 11 games with a strained calf, big JV gave Denver a solid 21 minutes, contributing 16 points and nine boards. His presence in the paint gave the team a physicality they’ve desperately missed over the last few weeks.

Wizards Woes Continue

On the other side of the floor, you almost have to feel for the Wizards. They fought hard, erasing a halftime deficit to tie the game in the fourth, but they just couldn’t close. This loss marks their eighth straight defeat, and the frustration is palpable. Kyshawn George was a bright spot for Washington, putting up a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Tre Johnson added 19 points.

But the shooting woes were undeniable. The Wizards shot a dismal 38.1% from the field. You simply aren’t going to beat a team like the Nuggets—even a short-handed version—when you’re clanking that many shots. They had their chances, but when crunch time arrived, Denver executed, and Washington faltered.

What This Win Means for Denver

This wasn’t a pretty win. It wasn’t a clinic in offensive efficiency. But for the Nuggets, it might be the most important win of the month. Avoiding a three-game skid keeps the morale afloat as they wait for their MVP to return. It proves that this roster has depth and that young guys like Watson aren’t just role players—they are weapons waiting to be deployed.

Denver now heads to Milwaukee for a Friday night showdown, while the Wizards look to snap their skid against Charlotte. But for tonight, the Nuggets can breathe a sigh of relief. They survived the trap game, and they might have just found a new star in the process.