![\"Peyton](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2257079634-e1776522997211.jpg\")
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Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with fans after the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. <\/p>\n
Fourth-year swingman Peyton Watson won\u2019t play in Game 1 of the Denver Nuggets<\/a> vs. Minnesota Timberwolves playoff series on Saturday. However, Denver\u2019s best 3-and-D player this season hasn\u2019t been totally ruled out for the first-round series as he recovers from a recurring hamstring injury.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said that Watson and Spencer Jones \u2014 also dealing with hamstring strains \u2014 engaged in non-contact practice and were trending toward a return<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, Watson may have suffered a setback in his rehab process. Per Nuggets beat writer Adam Mares, Watson could miss the entire series<\/a> against the Timberwolves.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t expect [Peyton Watson] back in the series.\u201d Mares reported <\/a>on Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s going to miss the entire thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 1<\/p>\n While Jones is listed as questionable for Game 1, Watson has been ruled out.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n With Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson no longer on a minutes restriction, the Nuggets are deep enough to remain competitive until Watson\u2019s return. Oddsmakers and a large share of NBA<\/a> analysts expect Nikola Jokic and Co. to avenge their 2024 loss to the Timberwolves and advance to the second round.<\/p>\n A panel of 14 ESPN writers <\/a>all picked the Nuggets to win their first-round series.<\/p>\n Nuggets Favored to Win Series<\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Zach Krim<\/a> predicts the Nuggets would complete a gentleman\u2019s sweep over Anthony Edwards and Co.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce upon a time, Minnesota had Denver\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Ahead of Game 1, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert said he was glad his team was being written off by oddsmakers and pundits.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that not a lot of people are believing in us to accomplish this, but we do believe in ourselves,\u201d Gobert said, via NBA.com.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe have a bunch of underdogs, a bunch of guys who beat the odds in life, and that\u2019s part of who we are, so we\u2019re embracing that challenge and that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Game 1 of the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves series tips off at 2:30 PM CT on Prime Video.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSai Mohan<\/a> covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Nuggets\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t