Is this team cursed? The Denver Nuggets have been dealing with significant injuries throughout the entire 2025-26 season, and in game 77, they still cannot catch a break.

The Nuggets are battling the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night, looking to extend their winning streak to seven games. However, in the first half, both Peyton Watson and Tim Hardaway Jr. exited with injuries.

Watson left Wednesday’s matchup due to right hamstring tightness, and Hardaway Jr. left with left knee soreness, as both key bench players were announced questionable to return.

Two more key injuries for Denver

Watson has been dealing with a hamstring injury for the past two months, and after returning from a 19-game absence because of it, it is obviously still bothering him. However, Watson’s minute restriction was expected to ramp up against the Jazz, suggesting his condition was improving, but he seems to have suffered a setback.

Hardaway Jr., on the other hand, has been one of Denver’s healthiest players this season. Only Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Jamal Murray have played in 70+ games this season, but the star sixth man got banged up on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets cannot seem to stay healthy, but things were looking up when they finally got their entire rotation healthy at the same time last week. Now, they have suffered multiple injuries in back-to-back games, and with under two weeks left in the regular season, it could not be a worse time for the injury bug to strike again.

The rise of Watson

Watson has been Denver’s most surprising player this season, bursting onto the scene as a rising star. Of course, the 23-year-old wing has shown promise in the past, but he put it to the test this season, making the most of his opportunities while most of the Nuggets roster was banged up.

Before reaggravating his injury on Wednesday, Watson had six points through nine minutes of action on 3-5 shooting from the field. The standout wing has been streaky since returning from injury, so these last handful of regular season games are crucial for him to find a rhythm before the playoffs.

If the Nuggets want to make a deep playoff run, Watson’s two-way impact will be a legitimate x-factor, so the team is undoubtedly hoping that he is feeling fine after leaving Wednesday’s game.

Hardaway Jr.’s impact

Despite being on a veteran minimum contract, Hardaway Jr. has been one of Denver’s most important players this season, as well as one of the NBA’s top sixth men.

Hardaway Jr.’s scoring off the bench has been crucial for the Nuggets, averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting 41% from three-point range. He is tied with Jamal Murray for the most games by a Nugget this season with four or more three-pointers, being one of Denver’s steadiest threats from beyond the arc.

Similar to Watson, if the Nuggets want to have a deep playoff run, Hardaway Jr.’s hot hand off the bench will be key. Keeping both of these guys healthy will be huge for the Nuggets, so they are certainly hoping neither injury is anything serious.

The Denver Summit is eyeing the future, acquiring land at Santa Fe Yards for a new NWSL stadium in the Mile High City. 

Summit controlling owner Rob Cohen called the move a milestone for the club and city.

“This is a defining moment for Denver Summit FC and for the future of women’s professional sports in our city,” Cohen said.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Mike Johnston, Denver City Council, and the broader Denver community for helping turn this vision into a reality.”

Located near Interstate 25, the 2026 expansion side’s purpose-built venue is part of a broader redevelopment project. Additional entertainment venues will subsequently surround the roughly 14,500-seat stadium. 

“This will be the largest overall investment in a women’s professional sports team in history,” Cohen said in an earlier team release. “[It will] provide us a distinct home-field advantage and will serve as the most inclusive environment in all of Colorado.” 

The blueprints incorporate the ability to expand beyond the stadium’s initial 14,500 seats. The team has additionally voiced interest in eventually extending the capacity closer to 20,000.

The move comes after Denver set an NWSL attendance record, drawing 63,004 fans to its Mile High Stadium home opener.

The Summit joined the US soccer league as its 16th franchise earlier this month. The team currently sits eighth in the NWSL standings, carrying a 1-1-2 early season record.

While construction timelines remain in progress, the club will use temporary venues before transitioning to a permanent home. Development is expected to unfold over the next few years, with the club targeting a 2028 opening.

A $7 million grant will keep a dedicated team of police officers patrolling downtown Denver through 2027, city officials said.

The funding, approved by the Denver Downtown Development Authority board, continues the city’s Downtown Safety Action Plan, launched in 2025 to increase police presence and expand outreach in the city’s core. The plan created a unit of 10 officers focused on areas around Union Station, the Colorado Convention Center and 16th Street.

Police say the effort is making an impact. Over the past year, they say motor vehicle theft in downtown Denver has dropped 55%. Response rates have increased 64% for open drug use and 167% for shoplifting. Officers have also made 118 warrant arrests and seized 73 illegal weapons.

Officer Siena Riley said when the unit first began patrols, much of the focus was on cleaning up the area. 

“When we first got out there, there was more homelessness and drinking out in public,” Riley said.

Officer John Singapuri said the increased presence has helped bring more stability to the area.

“With the increased police presence, it has helped run things a lot smoother,” he said.

Police say having officers consistently assigned to the downtown area has improved response times and built stronger relationships with businesses.

City officials note that while some crime metrics are improving, increased police visibility can also lead to more incidents being reported.

“There’s a combination of decreasing crime, but also more people feeling comfortable reporting issues,” said Bill Mosher, a consultant to the mayor’s office. “It’s a bit of a double-edged sword.”

Some residents say they’ve noticed the difference.

“It’s been a lot more welcoming and active,” said Haley Mendoza.

Adam Smith, who recently moved back downtown, said, “It’s been a night-and-day difference compared to a couple years ago.”

Officials say maintaining that progress will require continued investment and consistent enforcement.