Watson joins Denver’s starting five in being ruled out after Tuesday’s double overtime thriller against the Timberwolves. With the Nuggets short on options, Vlatko Cancar and PJ Hall figure to be apart of the rotation.

Initially questionable for Wednesday’s game, Watson is not expected to be available. With Denver’s starting five already ruled out, the Nuggets will be short on available options. Vlatko Cancar and PJ Hall should enter the rotation after picking up DNP-CDs in Tuesday’s double-overtime loss to the Timberwolves.

Surprisingly, Watson was Nuggets coach Michael Malone’s pick to replace the injured Jamal Murray (hamstring) in the starting lineup on Friday. While the third-year forward did not score much, he provided solid value in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Rostered in eight percent of Yahoo! leagues, Watson is ranked just outside the top 75 in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. While he can be a valuable player when the Nuggets are shorthanded, Watson’s fantasy value hinges on the availability of the team’s starters. Denver plays four games during Week 22, starting with the Timberwolves on Tuesday.

The Nuggets are without Jamal Murray for Friday’s game, but they are not going with the usual replacement in Friday’s starting lineup. Instead of Russell Westbrook, Watson will receive the starting nod. Being allowed to start raises Watson’s fantasy ceiling, but the lineup change may also result in a monster assist night for Jokic as the “point center.”