Heading into Game 4, the Denver Nuggets are going to remain shorthanded against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Peyton Watson is still working his way back as he deals with a hamstring strain.
The last time the Nuggets saw their young standout on the court was during the April 1 game against the Utah Jazz.
At the time, Watson checked in for just nine minutes. After that, he was ruled out for the final five games of the regular season.
Watson seemed to be making positive progress in the week leading up to the Game 1 matchup against the Timberwolves at home. However, the Nuggets ruled him out.
That trend wouldn’t stop throughout the first three games of the first-round series. By missing Saturday’s action, it will mark nine absences in a row.
The Nuggets Are Falling Behind
The last thing the Nuggets needed was more bad news on the injury front. The absence of Watson was expected. However, the Nuggets recently downgraded Aaron Gordon as well.
The starting forward was downgraded on the injury report ahead of Game 3. Gordon was diagnosed with calf tightness. Although he was listed as probable, the starting forward ended up not playing.
“We were waiting to see how he was going to react to it,” Adelman told reporters this week, regarding Gordon’s pre-Game 3 status.
“Today, there wasn’t much improvement—so he’s out—I can’t tell the future and what tomorrow’s going to bring,” Adelman added. “I have no idea, it just seems like it has happened so many times. I think the guys know this is Game 3 of the playoffs, you just get ready to play.”
Going into Game 4, Gordon is listed as questionable.
The Nuggets are looking to avoid falling into a 1-3 hole before the series returns to Denver next week. The Saturday night matchup is slated for an 8:30 PM ET.