Bold statement: Pain can fuel generosity, and a tough player turns an injury into a moment of joy for kids. That’s the thread running through Peyton Watson’s night in the Raising Cane’s parking lot, where determination met generosity in a powerful way. Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and into the Nuggets locker room for this feel-good update.
In Northglenn, a mix of brief discomfort and big smiles framed Watson’s appearance as he partnered with Raising Cane’s to donate 100 bikes and helmets to A Precious Child, a local nonprofit that supports kids in need. The 23-year-old wing had just left the Nuggets’ win over the Rockets in the first quarter with a right trunk contusion, a precursor to how the evening would unfold.
“He's a tough kid, so when he called for the sub and fouled, you knew it wasn’t good,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said after the game. “But there’s nothing long-term as far as I understand.”
Watson corroborated the assessment, though he joked about the price of the moment. He recalled taking a knee to the ribs and hip during the event, noting there’s no structural damage but that the pain would likely limit his availability for Thursday’s game against Orlando to a matter of pain tolerance.
“It was really hard for me to move and run on it,” Watson explained.
“It really is painful. When I laugh, when I cough, I can always feel it. It’s just in a sticky spot but nothing major.”
The event was filled with laughter and warmth, including a Santa Claus appearance. Kids circled the parking lot on their new bikes, and Watson was all smiles, posing for photos and signing autographs for attendees.
“I wanted to reach out to some of the kids in Denver. After hearing about this event and them reaching out to me to be a part of it, it was something I absolutely wanted to be a part of,” Watson said. “I love to be a part of it.”
For Watson, the bike giveaways carried a poignant resonance. He spoke of his own childhood memory—the moment when his grandpa gave him a red BMX bike around age five or six—and how that simple gift became a defining Christmas memory. He described it as the epitome of his early holidays and noted how special it felt to recreate that spark for others.
“I don’t know what it was about it, but I loved it.”
Now, roughly a hundred Denver-area children can share in a similar feeling, thanks to Watson’s outreach.
What I’m Thinking
Watson’s teammate Jamal Murray is quietly inching toward a nearly exclusive club. Murray’s current shooting line—50% from the field, 40% from deep, and 90% at the free-throw line, while averaging at least 300 field goals, 82 threes, and 125 free throws in a season—puts him among legends. The list includes Larry Bird, Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Malcolm Brogdon, and Kyrie Irving. It’s a prestigious cohort, and Murray is flirting with joining it.
Following a 35-point performance on 9-for-17 shooting, 3-for-5 from three, and 14-for-15 from the line, Murray sits at 50.1% field, 44.7% from three, and 89.6% at the stripe for the season. When asked to account for this unusually efficient stretch, he shrugged, saying he’s simply playing his game and that he’s “glad I’m in that range.”
That baseline builds on his earlier personal bests, with his strongest prior marks including 48.1% from the field (2023-24), 42.5% from three in the same season, and a 90.5% free-throw clip in 2017-18. A late miss from the line—his only one in a tense finish—was offset by a clutch pair in overtime to secure a six-point Nuggets lead.
“I was frustrated at that one,” Murray admitted. “That was a blow, but I got it back.”
What They’re Saying
Two starting centers—Nikola Jokic and Alperen Şengün—both recorded triple-doubles on Monday, a first in NBA history. Nuggets coach David Adelman praised the current era’s high-level play, noting how modern players’ versatility has elevated the game: “The skill set on some of these guys is outrageous—the way they can shoot it, pass it, handle it.”
The comparison between Jokic and Şengün sparked debate, though Jokic is quick to push back on reductive labels. He lauded Şengün’s talent and low-post footwork, emphasizing that Şengün should be recognized for his own merits rather than being measured against Jokic’s style.
To counter Houston’s size, Jokic and Jonas Valančiūnas shared time late in the first and third quarters, marking a rare two-big lineup. Afterward, Jokic reflected on the lineup’s potential: it’s early, but the two bigs could complement each other well as screeners and space-owners on offense.
“This could be interesting,” Jokic said.
What I’m Following
- Rockets coach Ime Udoka faced scrutiny after Monday’s game in Denver, with the coach hinting at officiating concerns and criticism toward the crew chief. The NBA acknowledged several late-game calls went Denver’s way in overtime.
- Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg set a new record, scoring 42 points—the most by an 18-year-old in NBA history—during Dallas’ game against Utah.
- The Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Cup championship in Las Vegas drew attention as reports suggest the league is exploring a different site due to concerns about energy and enthusiasm in Las Vegas.
If you found this update inspiring or controversial, share which part stood out to you. Do you think Jokic and Şengün could coexist effectively in a long-term lineup, or does the comparison to Jokic’s play unfairly elevate Şengün? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
