Watson’s Career Night Lifts Nuggets Past Wizards.

WASHINGTON — Peyton Watson poured in a career-best 35 points Thursday night, powering the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets to a 107–97 win over the Washington Wizards.

Jamal Murray chipped in 24 points as Denver snapped a two-game skid and avoided its first three-game losing streak of the season. Jonas Valančiūnas, playing his first game after missing 11 contests with a calf strain, finished with 16 points, as did Aaron Gordon.

The Nuggets continued to play without Nikola Jokić, who sat out his 13th straight game due to a hyperextended left knee. For Washington, Kyshawn George recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Tre Johnson added 19 points. The loss marked the Wizards’ eighth in a row, dropping them to 10–33 on the season. Washington also shot a season-low 38.1 percent from the field.

The Wizards briefly tied the game at 83 early in the fourth quarter, but Denver quickly answered with a decisive 9–0 run. Watson sparked the surge with a three-pointer and a mid-range jumper, later eclipsing his previous career high with a late free throw after recovering from a hard fall on a dunk attempt. Denver will continue its road trip Friday night in Milwaukee. Washington returns to action Saturday in Charlotte.