As of April 13, seven Nuggets were listed on the injury report as out at least until April 18: Tim Hardaway Jr., Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Jamal Murray, Spencer Jones, Christian Braun, and Peyton Watson. While the reports leave room for a possible late return for some, Watson’s timeline appears the most uncertain.
Watson originally suffered a hamstring injury on February 4 and was out for six weeks. He re-aggravated the issue on April 1 and has been day-to-day since, participating in non-contact drills. Nuggets coach David Adelman said the team is hopeful Watson will be able to play in Game 1, though he has not been cleared.
Some insiders have suggested Watson could miss the entire series, underscoring the potential impact of a multi-week absence. In that scenario, Denver would need to lean more heavily on its remaining depth and younger wings for support.
Analysts note that Watson’s absence would complicate defensive assignments against Minnesota’s offensive talent, including Anthony Edwards, even as Nikola Jokic remains a steadying presence in the middle. The series figures to hinge on how the Nuggets’ rotation functions without Watson and how much of a lift the healthier players can provide.
Ultimately, Watson’s availability stands out as the clearest variable heading into Game 1, with the team weighing the best path forward as they prepare for the first-round matchup.
