Nuggets make a key decision on Peyton Watson before Game 1

Despite some optimism earlier in the week, the Denver Nuggets will go to battle on Saturday without Peyton Watson.

The official injury report came out for Game 1 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves and Watson is listed as out with a right hamstring strain.

Injury Report ahead of tomorrow's game against the Timberwolves:

QUESTIONABLE:
Spencer Jones (Right Hamstring Strain)

OUT:
Peyton Watson (Right Hamstring Strain) pic.twitter.com/OM5ILFmqP1

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 17, 2026

Nuggets head coach David Adelman met with reporters on Wednesday and said his “hope” was Peyton Watson would play in the postseason opener, but clearly that’s not the case.

Watson had a breakout regular season, averaging 14.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. It’s clearly been the best year of his NBA career thus far.

But the hamstring has plagued Peyton Watson since early February and he’s only played in five games over the last 2.5 months.

He returned for a handful of contests in late March, but re-aggravated the injury on March 1. Clearly the Nuggets hope he’ll come back later in the series for his defensive presence against the Wolves, plus surprising offensive pop.

Meanwhile, Spencer Jones being questionable is a good sign since he didn’t play in Denver’s final five regular season games with a hamstring injury.

Anyone the Nuggets can throw at Anthony Edwards, even maybe for only a few minutes, is a bonus. Edwards is officially listed as questionable for “injury maintenance,” but it’d be a shocker if doesn’t suit up.

Denver and Minnesota begin another chapter in their playoff rivalry on Saturday afternoon at Ball Arena.

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