Story by
Cleveland Cavaliers starter Peyton Watson out with hamstring injury
- Story by
- Cleveland Cavaliers starter Peyton Watson out with hamstring injury
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers have an injured starter: wing Peyton Watson .
About an hour before tipoff between the Cavs (4-3) and Oklahoma City Thunder (5-2) on Monday, Nov. 2, at Rocket Arena, Cleveland ruled out Watson for the first time this season. Watson is dealing with right hamstring tightness , according to the Cavs .
Advertisement
The Cavs fell to the Thunder 117-112.
Cavs vs. Thunder column: Peyton Watson injury news gives Cavaliers early curveball | Opinion
What are the Cavs saying about Peyton Watson's hamstring injury?
During pregame media availability, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said Watson would "test" his hamstring to decide whether he would face the Thunder. The Cavs had listed Watson as questionable before ruling him out.
"Not overly concerned with it," Atkinson added.
More Cavs: Cavaliers' win over Wizards showcases promising rookies and an enhanced East Conference
Oct 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson (8) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Who is starting for the Cavs with Peyton Watson out?
Against the Thunder, the Cavs started rookie Meleek Thomas along with the usual suspects: guards James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen.
Advertisement
Wing Jaylon Tyson likely would have started in place of Watson, but Tyson is also sidelined. He has a sprained right ankle and has missed back-to-back games.
Peyton Watson's stats with Cleveland Cavaliers
Acquired from the Denver Nuggets in a sign-and-trade deal this past summer, Watson started each of Cleveland's first six games this season.
The 24-year-old Watson is averaging 10.8 points on 37.1% shooting from the field (16.7% on 3-pointers), four rebounds, three assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocked shots and 28.6 minutes with the Cavs.
Peyton Watson's injury history with Nuggets includes hamstring issues
With the 2025-26 Nuggets, Watson missed 25 of the final 30 regular-season games and did not appear in the playoffs. The Nuggets listed Watson with a right hamstring injury. Obviously, it's the same hamstring the Cavs are monitoring.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) leaps for a dunk against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 29, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
What did Peyton Watson say about his hamstring injury?
Watson addressed his hamstring injury with the Nuggets during his introductory news conference with the Cavs on Sept. 17
Advertisement
"I felt like I was getting into a groove, obviously, having the best year of my career, felt amazing on both sides of the ball," Watson said then. "So, it was just something that was a tough pill to swallow for me, and it's something that I definitely am going to hold with me, and I've taken a completely more intentional approach to just taking care of my body and doing the little things to make sure that my availability is always there for the team."
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be emailed at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavaliers starter Peyton Watson out with hamstring injury
