Michael Malone has been impressed by Peyton Watson’s growth in recent games
Mar 25, 2025, 10:08 AM
The Denver Nuggets had a tough loss at home against the Chicago Bulls Monday night in which the team led by as many as 13 points, but got another solid performance from Peyton Watson. Putting up 24 points, six rebounds and four blocks, Watson had the second most points on the team Monday.
The 24 points were a career-high for the third-year forward from UCLA, and just the second time in his career that he’s scored at least 20 points in a game (Dec. 28, 2023 vs. Memphis). Since his return from injury earlier this month, Watson’s scoring has been up compared to the month he played before going down, showing that he’s finding some confidence and consistency in his game.
“Peyton’s done a good job of bringing forth that effort that we need from him and contributing in an efficient matter like he did tonight. He had a really good performance getting the start with Aaron [Gordon] out,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said postgame.
One thing that Malone wants to see from his young wing is more offense in transition. Watson, standing at 6-foot-7 and one of the most athletic guys on the team, could take his offensive game to the next level if he starts to get out and run on the break like Christian Braun has been doing this season.
“In today’s NBA, everybody thinks about the 3-point line so much, and I think for Peyton Watson, [he needs to] have an attack mindset in transition. Put pressure on the defense, put pressure on the rim, get to the free throw line,” Malone said.
When Watson is on the floor for Denver, the team’s overall numbers improve defensively but go down offensively. Malone knows that him attacking more instead of waiting in the corner for his opportunity is a much better way for Watson to improve his offensive game and for the team to be better offensively. There will be times when Murray and Jokic are trying to execute their two-man game and he will have to stand in the corner, but cutting, getting to the free throw line and attacking at the right time are the next steps for his game offensively.
“I’ve definitely got to do my part in being more aggressive and taking advantage of those opportunities when they come,” Watson said after his career night. “My teammates found me in stride and tonight I was just trying to be aggressive and attack.”
Watson has been shooting the ball well this month, going exactly 50% from the field overall and from 3-point range. With just nine games left before the playoffs, the ability for him to build more confidence offensively will be important for this Nuggets team to help make noise in the postseason.
