Peyton Watson was named the Western Conference Player of the Week after leading the Denver Nuggets to a 3-1 record in Week 12, where he averaged 24.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game on 50.0 percent shooting from the field and 70.0 percent shooting from three-point land.
The 23-year-old forward had delivered yet again for the undermanned Denver Nuggets during their 122-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night, as he had 31 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals on 11-for-16 shooting from the field and 8-for-9 shooting from the free throw line.
“If nobody watched the playoffs last year, AG is one of the most clutch players I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with, and Jamal is also one of the clutchest players I’ve had a chance to play with,” Watson told Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “I think we have guys who are fearless and who are gonna go at the opposition, no matter who else is there (on the court for us).”
“I can’t tell you the last time I’ve won any personal accolade. So it really means a lot to me… More fuel to my fire. It makes me want to be better and better. I don’t want that to be my first and only. I want it to be my first of many,” he added.
Denver Nuggets News: David Adelman explains why Christian Braun was absent vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Christian Braun didn’t travel with the Denver Nuggets to New Orleans due to an ankle sprain. The 24-year-old swingman was supposed to play as early as their 108-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night, but was ruled out and kept in Mile High.
“I think the conversation we had was, (the team doctors) thought there was going to be an increase in (comfort), and there wasn’t,” Adelman said of Braun. “And the explosion off his foot, which is a big part of his game because of just how dynamic and athletic Christian is, it just wasn’t there for him. I just think it was better for him, just from a confidence standpoint, physically, to take a step back.”
“And I think that’s how it’s gonna be. Aaron (Gordon) is gonna be the same way. We’re just gonna feel out each day. They take a stress test, and we have to trust that and trust the medical part of this. And just know that the long-term goal of what this team can be wins out,” he added.
