Peyton Watson's stellar performance led the Denver Nuggets to a 107-97 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Watson's 35-point night, including 10-of-16 shooting and 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, was a career-high. He also contributed eight rebounds and four blocks. This performance surpassed his previous career-high of 32 points, achieved on November 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Denver's Jamal Murray and Jonas Valanciunas also contributed significantly, with Murray scoring 24 points and Valanciunas adding 16 points and nine rebounds after returning from an 11-game absence due to a calf injury. Aaron Gordon had 16 points as well, helping the Nuggets break a two-game losing streak and complete a season sweep of the Wizards. The Nuggets won the opener of their three-game road trip, improving their away record to 18-7. For the Wizards, Kyshawn George led with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, while rookie Tre Johnson scored 19 points. Washington struggled, losing their eighth consecutive game. The third and fourth quarters were closely contested, with Washington bridging the gap to 83-83 before Denver's Bruce Brown sparked a 9-0 run. Watson's impressive performance, including a crucial 3-pointer and mid-range jumper, helped the Nuggets maintain their lead, ultimately securing the win. The game also saw the NBA adjusting the tip-off time for the Wizards' game against the Charlotte Hornets to noon ET due to weather conditions.
