The short-handed Denver Nuggets dethroned the Washington Wizards 107-97 to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season on Thursday night.
Nuggets’ Peyton Watson dropped a career-high 35 points, Jamal Murray added 24, while Jonas Valanciunas and Aaron Gordon contributed 16 points each.
Valanciunas returned after missing 11 games due to a strained calf.
On the other hand, Kyshawn George led the Wizards with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Tre Johnson added 19.
Washington lost its eighth straight, dropping 14 in a row from late October to early December.
The Wizards shot a season-worst 38.1% (32 of 84) to sink to 10-33, one game ahead of last-place Indiana in the Eastern Conference.
They never led after halftime, but pulled into an 83-all tie after Alex Sarr’s free throw early in the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets responded with a 9-0 run, with Watson making a three-pointer and another jumper during the stretch.
Watson surpassed his previous season and career best of 32 points with a free throw with 1:50 remaining after overcoming an awkward fall during a contested dunk attempt.
Denver will visit Milwaukee on Friday night, while the Wizards will visit Charlotte on Saturday.
