Denver beat Minnesota 116-105 to take Game 1, but Peyton Watson’s hamstring recovery is expected to keep him sidelined for at least a couple more games.
The Denver Nuggets opened their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 116-105 win, taking a 1-0 lead as they set the tone early in the match-up.
Nuggets control Game 1 despite slow start
But Denver adjusted after that sluggish beginning, and the second half belonged mostly to them. Nikola Jokic finished with a relatively quiet 25 points for his standards, yet Denver still managed to create enough quality looks and keep Minnesota from settling into consistent rhythm.
That balance—being able to win even when their star wasn’t exploding—matters in the postseason. It gives a team options: lean on structure when needed, then shift gears if the other side makes a specific adjustment.
Peyton Watson hamstring update clouds rotation
Now that confidence is being tested by injury timing.. Watson was listed as inactive, continuing recovery from a right hamstring strain that he aggravated on April 1.. Reports circulating around the Nuggets suggest the expectation inside the organization is that he’ll miss at least a couple more games.
For Nuggets fans hoping for a quick return, the phrasing of “at least a couple” is a warning.. Hamstring injuries tend to be difficult to manage because they affect acceleration. cutting. and defensive bursts—exactly the movements wings like Watson are asked to execute on repeat in playoff possessions.
What Watson’s absence changes for Denver
With Watson out, Denver’s rotation needs to tighten around the wings that remain available.. That can mean fewer defensive matchups where Denver can keep the same intensity for long stretches. or it can shift offensive responsibilities toward teammates who were previously more supportive in the second unit.
There’s also a subtle postseason challenge here: benches get shorter, and every rotation decision becomes more exposed. If Watson is forced to miss time beyond an early “couple games” window, Denver may have to commit to a new pecking order that could linger even after his return.
Series context: Minnesota without key spark
That said, it’s still a playoff win—and Denver didn’t just survive. It improved after the early wobble, made adjustments that limited Minnesota’s ability to string together clean scoring runs, and protected the game enough to take the first step in the series.
The real test comes in Game 2, where both teams will likely bring a different level of urgency. If Minnesota finds ways to get more consistent offensive pressure, Denver’s margins—especially with Watson sidelined—could be tested sooner.
Game 2 set on Monday: the bigger question is timing
The growing expectation that he’ll miss at least a couple more games changes how Denver should plan. Instead of counting on his return as a near-term boost, Denver likely needs to treat Watson’s absence as real for the next stretch and build continuity around its current lineup.
That doesn’t remove the upside of Watson’s talent; it simply reframes his impact as something that might arrive later rather than immediately.. In a series measured by adjustments. that timing can decide which version of Denver shows up—one adapting day by day. or one that has to lock in longer-term answers without a key wing.
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