DENVER (AP) — Peyton Watson’s timing was perfect almost a year later and in a similar late game situation against the same star player.
The Denver Nuggets’ high-flying forward blocked a shot attempt by Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the closing seconds of maintain their win at 124-122 over the thunder on Wednesday night.
It was in stark contrast to what happened last December in Denver, when Gilgeous-Alexander hit a game-winning turnaround jumper with one second remaining over Watson’s outstretched arms.
Watson has not forgotten that moment.
Watson won’t forget this one either. His late shot came right after he missed a pair of free throws with 16 seconds left that could have put the game away.
“I thought, ‘I have to fix this. I have to get this back,” Watson said of his mentality on the defensive side of the floor. “Fortunately, I was in a position where I could help my team and help us save the game. But definitely super nerve-racking. Would have made my free throws, for sure.”
After Wednesday’s game, his thoughts drifted back to Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning bucket on Dec. 16, when it was the Thunder who rallied for the win.
Watson is just glad he got a measure of revenge as the Nuggets handed the Thunder their first loss of the season.
“I never stopped thinking about it,” said Watson, who the Nuggets took No. 30 through a 2022 draft night contract with Oklahoma City. “I never, ever stopped thinking about it. I’m one of those guys that takes pride in any late shot clock in the quarter or in the game situation, I’m not the guy to go after. (Gilgeous-Alexander) got the best of me that time .He’s a great player, one of the frontrunners in the league for MVP. So, I mean, he’s all that for a reason.”
Watson came up big to help the Nuggets rally from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter. He scored six of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. He also had three blocks.
But what impressed Nuggets coach Michael Malone was that Watson didn’t pout after missing the free throw. He came back on defense.
“That’s what you love about Peyton Watson,” said Malone, whose team snapped a four-game skid against the Thunder. “It was a big, big block, obviously. I’m proud of him for recovering from the free throw.”
The short-handed Nuggets needed him to come up big, too, with power forward Aaron Gordon (strained calf) and point guard Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) sidelined.
Denver got big contributions from a group of young players that also included Christian Braun (24 points) and Julian Strawther (nine points).
“You hope it gives them more and more confidence,” Malone said of playing in big moments.
It certainly has for Watson.
“I’ve never just had anything handed to me on a silver platter,” Watson said. “So for me it was just about earning my living. You have to keep putting in the hard work to stay where you are and maintain. It’s just about developing game by game.”
This is a neighborhood he won’t soon forget.
“It felt good,” Watson added, “to be able to get some recovery tonight.”
