The Nuggets at this rate might never get healthy.

Peyton Watson suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss an “extended” stretch of the season, according to a report from The Athletic Thursday night.

Watson grabbed at the back of his right leg after cutting to the hoop in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Knicks. He headed straight to the locker room and did not return to Denver’s double-overtime loss.

“It’s deflating when you see guys going down around you and you’re trying to build something,” Nuggets coach David Adelman told reporters in New York after Wednesday’s game, noting the team planned to do medical imaging on the injury Thursday.

Watson established himself as a reliable starter as the Nuggets dealt with multiple injuries to opening-night starters. He was in the starting lineup for 39 of his 49 games played this season and averaged 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, two assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal prior to the injury.

The Nuggets will provide an update Friday ahead of Saturday’s game against Chicago. Spencer Jones could join Watson, Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson on the sideline after being evaluated for a concussion on Wednesday night.

***

Notable Nuggets absences in 2025-26

Nikola Jokic: 16 missed games

Aaron Gordon: 29

Christian Braun: 36

Cam Johnson, 24

Jonas Valanciunas: 12

Peyton Watson: TBD

—The Denver Gazette