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Vinny Benedetto: Peyton Watson is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Portland. G League assignments DaRon Holmes II, Curtis Jones and KJ Simpson are the only others listed on Denver’s injury report.
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson is expected to return Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing more than six weeks due to a hamstring strain, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Saturday. Watson's return would mark the first time the Nuggets have had their full roster available since early in the season. Several players, including three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun, have all missed extended time this year.
Brendan Vogt: Tim Hardaway Jr. on the Sixth Man of the Year award: If I was sitting here saying I wasn’t thinking about that - I’d be lying. I do think about that. When I came here, it was one of my goals. But also it comes with team success.
Brendan Vogt: I asked Jamal Murray about his right shoulder - lots of ice tonight and it was taped up in recent games. “We’re good,” he said. Follow up: But what should I say if Nuggets fans ask me about it? “He’s good.”
“But you’ll never hear an OKC fan complain about my free throws. You’ll never hear a Denver fan complain about Jokić’s free throws. You’ll never hear a Lakers fan complain about Luka’s free throws. It’s just part of the business. But I love it, it creates buzz around the game. It creates rivalries. It creates energy. It’s what makes the NBA so fun. Honestly, the fact that they care so much is great, because they care, they watch it on TV, the TV deals grow, I get more money. It’s how it goes. That’s honestly how I see it. So I love it. It’s amazing. It makes the games more fun.”
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Josh Lewenberg: CMB is doubtful for tomorrow’s game in Denver. The hope is to get him back at some point on this trip, though Darko couldn’t guarantee it, calling him day-to-day.
Despite the blowout win, the conversation in the postgame press conference quickly shifted toward Friday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. The contest features a meeting between Rajakovic and his compatriot, three-time season MVP Nikola Jokic. When asked how he plans to neutralize the Serbian superstar, Rajakovic kept the mood light before turning to the realities of his roster depth. “We’re going to surprise Jokic. We’re going to put our point guards to guard him. So, we’re preparing a very special strategy against him,” he joked, drawing laughs from the media. However, his tone shifted to the importance of forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who has been sidelined with a left thumb sprain. “Having CMB would be a huge help to have in that game,” he added.
Katy Winge: Aaron Gordon is listed as OUT for tonight’s game against Memphis. Right hamstring injury management.
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Joel Embiid comes up to say hi to Nikola Jokic after the game 🫂 pic.twitter.com/yF1DSO7wxx
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) March 18, 2026
Aaron Gordon: “You know, I’ve always been a reader, even as a kid. I liked going to the library, book fairs, and picking out books, and I liked being able to read above my grade level. Lemony Snicket books were really good as a kid, and Ender’s Game, too, along with the Harry Potter books. Then it kind of grew on me a little bit. I started to get into psychology and philosophy. And as my career has progressed, I’ve understood that, at the end of the day, I’m not going to be able to play basketball for the rest of my life. So I wanted to cultivate my mind and my knowledge, and make up for lost time from not going to college.”
Vinny Benedetto: Sounds like the hope remains the Nuggets get Peyton Watson back sometime this week. Wouldn't expect it tomorrow or Wednesday.
Ayton averaged 13 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in wins over the Knicks, Timberwolves, Bulls and Nuggets after coming back from a one-game injury absence. When Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber were sidelined for games against Minnesota and Chicago, Ayton starred with back-to-back double-doubles. “Felt like I picked up my energy and my focus,” Ayton said. “I finally caught up with the team.”