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Peyton Watson scores career-high 35 points as short-handed Nuggets outlast Wizards 107-97

Peyton Watson scores career-high 35 points as short-handed Nuggets outlast Wizards 107-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) drive to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Jamir Watkins during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Peyton Watson scored a career-high 35 points to lead the short-handed Denver Nuggets to a 107-97 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

Jamal Murray added 24 points for the Nuggets, who avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season. Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points in his return after missing 11 games with a strained calf. Aaron Gordon also scored 16 points.

Nikola Jokic missed his 13th consecutive game for Denver with a hyperextended left knee.

Kyshawn George scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Washington, which lost its eighth in a row. Tre Johnson added 19 points for the Wizards, who dropped 14 consecutive games from late October to early December.

Washington shot a season-worst 38.1% (32 of 84) to sink to 10-33, one game ahead of last-place Indiana in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards never never led after halftime, but pulled into an 83-all tie after Alex Sarr’s free throw early in the fourth quarter.

Denver responded with a 9-0 run, with Watson making a 3-pointer and another jumper during the stretch. He later surpassed his previous season and career best of 32 points with a free throw with 1:50 remaining after overcoming an awkward fall during a contested dunk attempt.

Up next

Nuggets: Visit Milwaukee on Friday night.

Wizards: Visit Charlotte on Saturday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Peyton Watson scores career-high 35 points as short-handed Nuggets outlast Wizards 107-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson, left, and Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson compete for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Peyton Watson scores career-high 35 points as short-handed Nuggets outlast Wizards 107-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas, left, and Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr, right, compete for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Peyton Watson scores career-high 35 points as short-handed Nuggets outlast Wizards 107-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) looks to shoot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Peyton Watson scores career-high 35 points as short-handed Nuggets outlast Wizards 107-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton, left, guards Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

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The Associated Press

Ian Nicholas Quillen

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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