NEW ORLEANS — As their teammates huddled for a timeout that was likely to be just a formality with 10 seconds remaining, Aaron Gordon found Peyton Watson at the top of the key for a hug.
The recently crowned Western Conference Player of the Week, Watson had delivered for the short-handed Nuggets again. His turnaround 14-footer with 39 seconds left gave them the lead for good Tuesday, and Gordon put the finishing touches on a 122-116 win over the Pelicans by getting a stop against Trey Murphy III and cutting for a dunk at the other end.
Watson went for 29 points on 11 of 16 shooting. He added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jamal Murray led all scorers with 35 points. Murphy led New Orleans with 31. The Nuggets (27-13) improved to 5-3 without Nikola Jokic after trailing by as many as 11 early in the second half at Smoothie King Center.
They flew out late to make it to Dallas for a back-to-back on Wednesday.
David Adelman called two timeouts 38 seconds apart late in the fourth quarter with his team trailing 110-106, and it responded with consecutive 3s by Murray and Jalen Pickett to flip the tide. Before Watson’s game-winner, Murray also conjured one of the weirdest clutch buckets of Denver’s season, scooping up a loose ball that had been stripped away from Aaron Gordon and connecting on an awkward midrange floater before the shot clock buzzer.
Four players didn’t travel with the team to New Orleans, including Christian Braun, who missed his second consecutive game. He returned from a seven-week absence on Jan. 4 but struggled in his first three games back from an ankle sprain that also involved ligament damage. He was supposed to play Sunday against Milwaukee, but he was ruled out of that game after warming up and underwent a stress test Monday that prompted the Nuggets to keep him back in Denver.
“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. “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.”
Adelman didn’t completely rule out the possibility of Braun rejoining the team on Wednesday in Dallas when asked. A factor in the decision to leave Braun at home was that members of the team’s medical staff were already staying behind to work with Nikola Jokic, Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas on their respective rehabs.
The Nuggets have two days off after Dallas, followed by a home back-to-back against Washington and Charlotte this weekend.
“We’ve had guys back home. We have staff back home. It felt like nobody was on the bus,” Adelman said. “It’s just been a really interesting time. Obviously, we didn’t want some guys to travel on a quick back-to-back before we get back to Denver.”
Adelman played his fifth different starting lineup in as many games, this one reintroducing Murray after a two-game sick leave. Combined with Watson, Gordon and Jalen Pickett, it was the most diverse ball-handling lineup the Nuggets have deployed since Jokic’s injury. In the first quarter, either Murray or Pickett scored or assisted on 26 of their 32 points.
Related Articles
LA Rams, Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke becomes largest private landowner in the U.S. Nuggets’ Peyton Watson named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week Nuggets’ Tim Hardaway Jr. emerges as hot shot, leader and cheerleader Nuggets survive Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comeback push for another win without Nikola Jokic Why Nuggets are bringing Aaron Gordon off the bench as he returns from hamstring injuryDenver’s defense seemed to stay home with Jokic and company. Murphy scored 22 of the Pelicans’ 65 points in the first half as they cashed seven 3s and attempted 15 free throws.
Watson and the Nuggets also managed to exploit a generous whistle from Tony Brothers’ officiating crew, though. Four players attempted five or more foul shots. Watson’s relentless dribble-driving earned him nine trips to the line throughout a night sprinkled with spin moves and tough finishes with both hands. Adelman brought him back into the game while looking for a spark at both ends after New Orleans went on an 8-0 run to take a 100-94 lead.
Eager for the ball, Watson surveyed the lane and kicked out to Pickett for a 3-pointer that ignited a 7-0 Nuggets answer. From then on, the final frame was a slow burn of foul calls and free throws. A total of 63 were attempted by the end.
Want more Nuggets news? Sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all our NBA analysis.
Hence then, the article about nuggets peyton watson scores go ahead bucket in last minute to hold off pelicans was published today ( ) and is available on The Denver Post ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Nuggets’ Peyton Watson scores go-ahead bucket in last minute to hold off Pelicans )
Also on site :
- Another Weight Loss Surgery and a Wedding Bombshell: Spoilers From '1000-Lb Sisters' Season 8 Episode 2
- Trump-Iran latest: President threatens ‘very strong action’ if protesters are hanged after forced confessions
- High Potential Finally Explores Morgan And Ludo's Breakup, But EP Says There's More To The Story: 'It's Complicated'