Already leading 86-73 in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s NBA Finals rematch against the Miami Heat, Peyton Watson had a chance to give the Denver Nuggets a 15-point lead in style.
He did the exact opposite.
Miami’s Duncan Robinson appeared to be tripped by Watson after catching a pass, but no foul was called. Denver’s Reggie Jackson picked up the loose ball and passed it ahead to Watson, who had a clear lane to the hoop. Watson took off with his feet straddling the dotted semicircle in front of the free-throw line. Watson was going for a windmill dunk but as he got in the air, seemed to realize he was gonna come up short. So instead of dunking it, he tried a layup — which did not work.
Coming soon to Shaqtin' a Fool: Peyton Watson. pic.twitter.com/mlxoDd3B9k
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 1, 2024
Making matters worse for Watson, Miami’s Jimmy Butler, who was trailing the play, grabbed the rebound, drove the length of the floor and hit a floating jumper.
Watson’s blunder was the subject of a lot of jokes on Thursday night.
Who hit the Buffalo Wild Wings button? https://t.co/ThAfTXxc9n
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) March 1, 2024
https://twitter.com/currypistonn/status/1763430125868089643
Me looking at Peyton Watson right now pic.twitter.com/VZQxGkp2C4
— Sackor (@StrongBad328) March 1, 2024
Peyton Watson just buffered
— Silas P. Silas (@KennySpenceNBA) March 1, 2024
Peyton Watson welcome to Shaqtin a fool!
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) March 1, 2024
Fortunately for Watson, while the Heat made the game close after this, the Nuggets still ultimately prevailed 103-97. Winning the game probably spared him the wrath of his teammates. But win, lose, or draw, this play is going to be part of blooper reels for a while to come.
[Photo Credit: TNT]
