Denver

Nuggets

Back in action for the first time since February 4, Watson played 20 minutes without incident on Sunday. And he was effective, shooting just under 50 percent from the field while providing value in rebounds and assists. With Watson in the fold, eight players logged at least 20 minutes against Portland, with Spencer Jones (six points, four rebounds, one assist and one three-pointer) being the ninth man at 11 minutes.

After his streak of games with at least three three-pointers ended with an 0-of-4 night in Friday’s win over the Raptors, Johnson found his stroke on Sunday. The Nuggets’ forward made five of seven attempts from beyond the arc, and he’s up to 17 three-pointers in his last five games. And this is good timing for Johnson, as the Nuggets’ rotation returned to full strength on Sunday with Peyton Watson returning from a strained hamstring.

Jokić finished Sunday’s victory with his 28th triple-double of the season, and his first since going on a run of four straight triple-doubles less than two weeks ago. The three-time MVP was responsible for five turnovers, but the overall production compensates for that deficiency. The Nuggets open a four-game Week 22 in Phoenix on Tuesday.

Neither Murray nor Nikola Jokić attempted a free throw in Sunday’s victory, a surprising development, given how much of the Nuggets’ offense runs through them. The former was efficient, shooting 50 percent from the field overall and 4-of-9 from three. Add in the assists, and this was a solid end to Week 21 for Murray. The Nuggets play four games in Week 22, starting with the Suns on Tuesday.

Sunday’s game will be the first for Watson since he suffered a strained hamstring during a February 4 loss to the Knicks. As expected, his minutes will be limited on Sunday, so fantasy managers should not expect much. Moving forward, Watson will provide depth and production off the bench for the Nuggets.

Watson has missed the better part of the last two months with a hamstring strain, but is set to return on Sunday against the Trail Blazers, according to a report from Charania. The Nuggets have officially listed Watson, who can be a key contributor off the bench, as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Hardaway entered Friday shooting 8-of-31 from three over the last four games. He snapped out of his slump in a big way against the Raptors, shooting 7-of-10 on the night. The four rebounds were a decent bonus, but most fantasy managers roster Hardaway for the points and three-pointers. The Nuggets end Week 21 with a game against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.

While there’s no shortage of Jokić managers in playoff matchups who have been looking for his usual triple-double mastery, Friday’s stat line was solid. The three-time MVP made over 50 percent of his shots and recorded a complete stat line. And Jokić will have one more chance to put up a big stat line during Week 21, as the Nuggets face the Trail Blazers on Sunday.

After totaling 31 points in his prior two appearances, Murray hit that number against the Raptors on Friday. And he was highly efficient in doing so, shooting over 50 percent from the field and 90 percent from the foul line. Add in the rebounds and assists, and this was a good night to roster Murray. Since the All-Star break, he has provided fourth-round value in eight-cat formats.

Watson, who did some 3-on-3 scrimmaging at the beginning of the week, has not reached the point where he can play in games. With Aaron Gordon back in the lineup after not playing on Wednesday, Spencer Jones and Julian Strawther will be the key wing contributors off the bench.