After enduring one of the most injury-plagued seasons in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets finally fielded a fully healthy lineup on Sunday, March 22, 2026. In a convincing 128-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, standout wing Peyton Watson made his long-awaited return from a 19-game absence caused by a hamstring strain. This marked the first time since November that the Nuggets had their complete roster available.
Fresh off the dominant win, Watson delivered a bold, confident message to the rest of the league, signaling that a healthy Denver squad is a force to be reckoned with.
“Just do everything the right way,” Watson said regarding the team’s approach heading into their final ten games of the regular season. “We know that we’ve got a great team, and it’s been a while since we’ve had our full team. I think when we’re healthy, nobody in the league can beat us.”
The quote quickly went viral, with AltitudeTV sharing the clip:
Embed X: https://twitter.com/AltitudeTV/status/2035858746895995217
Watson, who was on a minute restriction in his return, still made an impact with 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists on 6-13 shooting (including 1-5 from three) in just 20 minutes. While he wasn’t at full strength after missing over six weeks, his performance hinted at the added depth and versatility he brings once fully ramped up. The rest of the team will also need time to gel with the complete lineup back in action.
The last time the Nuggets were fully healthy was early in the season, during their first 11 games. In that small but telling sample, they posted the NBA’s second-best offensive rating, third-best defensive rating, and second-best net rating, going 9-2. It’s clear evidence that when everyone is available, Denver operates at an elite level.
This season has been brutal on the injury front. Key contributors Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Cam Johnson, and Christian Braun have each missed at least 16 games due to significant injuries, with Gordon sidelined for a staggering 42 contests. Five of the team’s top seven scorers have been hampered, making health the biggest storyline.
Now, with Watson back and the core intact, the Nuggets have a golden opportunity to prove Watson’s claim. Over their remaining ten games, they’ll face tough tests, including two matchups against the San Antonio Spurs, another clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and one against the Phoenix Suns.
No team goes undefeated, and Watson’s assertion is undoubtedly confident—perhaps even provocative. Yet, based on their early-season dominance when healthy, it’s hard to argue against the Nuggets being among the absolute best in the league at full strength. A seven-game playoff series against powerhouses like the Thunder would be challenging, but Denver has every reason to believe they can compete with—or beat—anyone come postseason time.
These final games will be crucial for rhythm, adjustments, and staying injury-free as the Nuggets build momentum toward the playoffs. If they can maintain their health, Watson’s mic-drop warning might just prove prophetic.