For a moment, the Nuggets' season was starting to look a bit smoother amid a seven-game winning streak. But overnight, the Nuggets' homestretch took on a different look, and the playoff standings and the Nuggets' ability to build chemistry just got a lot cloudier.
First, the bad news for the Nuggets. Because, of course, there was an injury in their last game against the Jazz in Utah. The Nuggets won the game, but they lost Peyton Watson to another right hamstring strain. The nightmare season vibes on the injury front just won't end.
Watson is "week-to-week," but given his history and what just happened to Luka Doncic for the Lakers (more on that in a moment), the Nuggets would be best to just rest him until the playoffs. The regular season ends on April 12th, and the playoffs start on the 18th. There's no reason to rush P-Wat back when the Nuggets need him for the playoffs most.
The Nuggets will also be without Spencer Jones, who has been anchoring the small-ball rotation at center. Jones also has a right hamstring strain, and they're joined by Zeke Nnaji, who has a left hip sprain.
The Nuggets will be forced to turn back to Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas has largely been absent from the Nuggets' rotation for the last seven games, but he's been thrust back in due to the injury to Jones, and he will be used even more now with the injury to Watson. The Nuggets moved away from Big Val due to some poor defense in the non-Jokic minutes.
The chemistry of the newly found small ball lineup is certainly going to be affected over the last five games and into the playoffs. Watson was going to play everything from the primary ball-handler to the five in place of Jones, but it's now on the shoulders of Big Val again. To be fair, he did look good against the Jazz, and Valanciunas scored 13 points and snagged 6 rebounds in 13 minutes.
The Western Conference standings aren't concrete
While unlikely, the Nuggets have an outside shot at the third seed if the Lakers completely collapse against the easy schedule they have left without their MVP candidate, Luka Doncic. Doncic injured his hamstring in the Lakers' blowout loss to the Thunder, and he'll be out indefinitely. His status is uncertain beyond the regular season.
The third seed would hold the OKC Thunder off until the Western Conference Finals, setting up a second-round date with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs if the Nuggets advanced.
The Minnesota Timberwolves also have a crucial injury. Starter Jaden McDaniels is week-to-week with a knee issue. The Timberwolves slipped from fifth to sixth in the West while losing three of their last six games, setting the Nuggets up to face the Rockets currently. Just a week ago, the T-Wolves looked to be holding the five spot.
Either way, the picture that was being painted just a week ago has been tossed aside for a whole new canvas, but the Nuggets are still in a good position, all things considered.