Three Players to Watch for in Nuggets' Final Six Games

With just six games left in the regular season, the Denver Nuggets are on the hunt to put themselves in a premier position to win a championship this year. With plenty of injuries, inconsistencies, and defensive issues, the Nuggets only have a couple of weeks to clean things up before the meaningful games roll in.

In these final six games, here are three Nuggets players we should keep an extra eye on:

Peyton Watson

Peyton Watson recently returned from a six-week injury absence, playing in just four games since recovering. However, the standout forward has been on a minute restriction since returning, maxing out at 23 minutes in his four appearances.

It will certainly be worth monitoring how Watson looks coming off his injury, because he will be vital to Denver's postseason success. Luckily, his minutes are expected to ramp up. After practice on Tuesday, Watson said that he is expecting to play more in Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz.

"It's been frustrating with the minute restriction, but it is what it is. It probably is best for my health. I think we're looking to ramp me up here in the next game, maybe knock my minutes up some," Watson said.

Peyton Watson says he’s hoping to ramp up his minutes next game.

Full scrum after practice: pic.twitter.com/riLsqwz8Yp
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) March 31, 2026

Watson was in the middle of a breakout year before his injury, showcasing why the Nuggets should have extended his contract when they had the chance. Now, though, he is fully bought in to what the team is trying to accomplish this year, despite being a pending free agent, and they will be much more successful in the playoffs if he is fully healthy and playing his best.

Aaron Gordon

Gordon is in a similar situation to Watson, as he recently returned from an extended absence. Gordon has had two extended absences, both because of right hamstring strains, so the Nuggets have been extra cautious with the standout forward since he returned. Now, he is even dealing with a calf injury that sidelined him in their last game.

Keeping Gordon healthy down the stretch is key for the Nuggets as they head into the playoffs, as he is just as important as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

⚒️ DENVER TRIO MAKES HISTORY ⚒️

Aaron Gordon - 50 PTS (10/23/25)
Nikola Jokić - 55 PTS (11/12/25)
Jamal Murray - 52 PTS (12/3/25)

Tonight marks the first time in NBA history that three teammates have each recorded a 50-point game within a team’s first 21 games of a season ‼️ pic.twitter.com/werR5YLT3b
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2025

The Nuggets are a completely different team when Gordon is out of the lineup, and with him playing in just 32 of their 76 games this season, of course, they are going to be inconsistent. Gordon is arguably the best "glue guy" in the NBA, although many think he is too good for that title anyway.

Everyone knows what Gordon can do when he is on the court, so keeping him healthy and as close to 100% as possible is worth monitoring in these final six games.

Christian Braun

Shifting away from injuries, Christian Braun is healthy but searching for consistency. After earning a giant five-year, $125 million contract extension, Braun has been a mild letdown for the Nuggets this season.

Braun was uninspiring in Denver's playoff run last year, and if they want to go all the way this time around, they will need more from their standout guard. While Braun has had his fair share of injuries this season, he has degressed in most areas when in the lineup, and the Nuggets need him to be at his best down the stretch.

If Braun can knock down threes, create fastbreak opportunities, and most importantly, play defense, the Nuggets will be in a great position in the playoffs. However, he needs to use these final six games to get back into his rhythm. When at his best, Braun is Denver's fourth-most important player. They desperately need him to be that guy for them.