DENVER — Peyton Watson’s timing was perfect nearly a year later and in a similar late-game situation against the same star player.

The Denver Nuggets’ high-flying forward blocked a shot attempt from Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the final seconds to preserve their 124-122 win over the Thunder on Wednesday night.

It was a stark contrast to what happened last December in Denver, when Gilgeous-Alexander nailed a game-winning turnaround with a second left over Watson’s outstretched arms.

Watson has not forgotten this moment.

Watson won’t forget this one either. His late shot came just after he missed two free throws with 16 seconds left that could have put the game away.

“I said to myself, ‘I have to rectify this. I have to get that back,” Watson said of his mentality on the defensive end of the court. “Luckily, I was in a position where I could help my team and help us save the game. But it’s really very distressing. I should have made my free throws, that’s for sure.

After Wednesday’s game, his thoughts returned to Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning field goal on Dec. 16, when it was the Thunder who rallied for the victory.

Watson is just happy to have some revenge as the Nuggets handed the Thunder their first loss of the season.

“I never stopped thinking about it,” said Watson, who the Nuggets landed at No. 30 in a 2022 draft night deal with Oklahoma City. “I never stopped thinking about it. I’m one of those guys who prides himself on any shot clock late in the quarter or in a game situation, I’m not really the guy to go after. (Gilgeous-Alexander) got the better of me that time. He’s an extraordinary player, one of the league’s favorites for the MVP award. So, I mean, he does all this for a reason.

Watson played a big role in helping the Nuggets rally from a 16-point third-quarter deficit. He scored six of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. He also had three blocks.

But what impressed Nuggets coach Michael Malone was that Watson didn’t sulk after missing free throws. He came back on defense.

“That’s what you like about Peyton Watson,” said Malone, whose team ended a four-game streak against the Thunder. “It was obviously a huge, huge block. I’m proud of him for recovering after the free throws.

The shorthanded Nuggets also needed him to stand out, with forward Aaron Gordon (strained calf) and point guard Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) sidelined.

Denver received big contributions from a group of young players that also included Christian Braun (24 points) and Julian Strawther (nine points).

“You hope it gives them more and more confidence,” Malone said of the big moments.

This is certainly the case for Watson.

“I’ve never been handed something on a silver platter,” Watson said. “So for me it was just about making a living. You have to keep working hard to stay where you are and maintain yourself. It’s just about developing play by play.”

It’s a block he won’t soon forget.

“It was nice,” Watson added, “to be able to recover a little bit tonight.”