Denver Nuggets fans may soon witness the return of key players Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon, both recovering from right hamstring injuries. This development moves the team closer to fielding a fully healthy rotation for the first time since November 12, the night when Cam Johnson and Christian Braun were sidelined with injuries lost during a game in Los Angeles. The upcoming return of Watson and Gordon could mark a significant turning point in the Nuggets’ season as they contend for playoff positioning.
Progress Report on Watson and Gordon’s Recovery
On Monday, both Gordon and Watson were present at Ball Arena, engaging in conditioning drills and participating in contact practice sessions overseen by the team’s assistant coaches. According to head coach David Adelman, Gordon was able to complete almost all practice activities except for full-contact drills on Tuesday. While Adelman did not specify Watson’s exact level of involvement in team practice, the 23-year-old wing signaled his imminent return in a message shared on social media stating he would be “back soon.”
With about 20 games left in the regular season, Adelman holds out hope that the full core team will be intact by the time the Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers next Thursday. However, he tempered expectations, admitting the goal places a considerable amount of pressure on the healing process but did not rule out the possibility of achieving it.
Concerns Remain Over Gordon’s Recurring Hamstring Injury
Aaron Gordon’s right hamstring injury presents the greatest uncertainty for the Nuggets’ lineup. He has faced multiple setbacks this season, initially injuring the hamstring in November and suffering a setback on January 23 during a game in Milwaukee. Over the past two seasons, Gordon has missed 66 games due to various soft tissue issues, including a left hamstring strain sustained in the 2025 playoffs. The team is carefully weighing his urgency to return against the need for cautious rehabilitation, mindful of his importance to their playoff aspirations.
League sources have revealed that the Nuggets have engaged in detailed discussions with Gordon regarding his recovery timeline. Denver’s defensive effectiveness is notably better with Gordon on the court, as they have improved their defensive rating by 9.6 points per 100 possessions when he plays.
Coach Adelman on Gradual Reintegration and Team Impact
Adelman emphasized the cautious but progressive approach to Gordon’s return.
“We did some situational defensive drills. He was a part of that,”
Adelman said, noting the player must adjust on a daily basis.
“The more he gets out there and gets up and down and plays with contact, even if it’s against our coaches, that’ll bring more confidence for everybody to feel comfortable with him coming back.”
He acknowledged the frustration Gordon faces from watching games both lost and won without his presence.
“He sees us losing games that he could be a part of. He sees us winning games that were completely joyful, like Portland, where everything went our way, and he’s not a part of either,”
Adelman said.
“So he understands the process. He also understands how important he is to this group, how he completes us.”
— David Adelman, Head Coach
Nuggets’ Upcoming Challenging Schedule Highlights Need for Full Strength
The Nuggets, currently holding a 36-22 record, have struggled recently, dropping six of their last nine games. Their next opponent will be the Boston Celtics, followed by road games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. These upcoming matches will test Denver’s depth, especially since each opposing team features a formidable forward Gordon would typically match up against: Jaylen Brown for Boston, Jalen Williams for Oklahoma City, and Julius Randle for Minnesota.
Adelman stressed the importance of ensuring Gordon’s full recovery before plunging him back into this challenging stretch.
“We have to make sure he’s right. I said that before. He came back. He got hurt. I’m gonna say it again. We’ve just gotta do everything we can to get him right for that last stretch to make him feel comfortable going into some huge games.”
— David Adelman, Head Coach
Significance of a Healthy Roster for Denver’s Playoff Hopes
The potential return of Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon marks a critical phase for the Denver Nuggets as they approach the season’s final month. Once a healthy rotation is restored, the team can more closely recapture the form that saw them start the year with an 8-2 record, where they ranked statistically among the NBA’s best. The limited lineups forced by injuries have contributed to uneven results recently, making the return of these players essential to stabilizing Denver’s pursuit of a deep playoff run.
With the playoffs looming, the Nuggets are focused on ensuring each player’s readiness rather than rushing back into intense competition prematurely. The coaching staff and team officials remain intensely involved in monitoring progress and planning recovery steps. As they prepare to face some of the league’s strongest teams in the coming weeks, the health of Gordon and Watson could be the deciding factor in Denver’s postseason trajectory.
