Julian Strawther has been performing strongly over the past two weeks, providing crucial support for the Denver Nuggets as Peyton Watson will miss at least four weeks recovering from a grade 2 hamstring strain. This setback adds to the Nuggets’ ongoing struggles with injuries during the season.
The third-year wing from Gonzaga has averaged 10.5 points over his last eight contests, highlighted by a 20-point game and two additional outings with 15 points each. Beyond scoring, Strawther has contributed with solid rebounding, recording a career-best eight boards against the Pistons, and he has maintained effective defense with more than one steal per game. Notably, he has also kept his turnovers low during this stretch.
According to Bennett Durando, this marks the sixth instance this season where a rotation player on the Nuggets has been sidelined for over three weeks. While the injuries have been an ongoing challenge, they have also created opportunities for younger bench players like Strawther and Watson to develop their roles further.
Greater Responsibilities for Strawther as Multiple Players Remain Out
With Peyton Watson sidelined, Strawther is expected to take on an expanded role, especially since other key contributors are also unavailable. Spencer Jones is currently in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in a double-overtime loss to the Knicks. Aaron Gordon continues to be out of action, and Cam Johnson’s status remains uncertain, though it has recently improved. Until these players regain full health, Strawther will be relied upon to fill the gap left by Watson’s absence.
Coach David Adelman Adapts with Rotations to Maintain Competitiveness
Throughout this injury-plagued season, head coach David Adelman has demonstrated impressive skill in adjusting rotations each night to optimize matchups. His strategic decisions have played a significant role in keeping the Nuggets competitive in the tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.
Denver currently ranks as the league’s second-highest scoring team, averaging 120.1 points per game, and leads with the highest offensive rating. Holding a 33-19 record, the Nuggets are only 2.5 games behind the second seed, reflecting their resilience despite missing key starters.
The anticipated return of Cam Johnson will provide additional depth to the rotation, giving Adelman more options to fine-tune the lineup. His ability to secure wins while missing multiple starters stands out as a testament to his coaching prowess and may position him for recognition during postseason awards.
With a minimum of four weeks out due to hamstring strain, Peyton Watson will be the sixth Nuggets rotation player to miss 3+ weeks consecutively this season, joining Jokic, Gordon, Braun, Johnson and Valanciunas.
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) February 6, 2026
