Peyton Watson identifies Kyrie Irving as his toughest defensive assignment

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson recently named Kyrie Irving as the toughest offensive player he has faced during his NBA career. Appearing on the Curious Mike podcast hosted by Michael Porter Jr., Watson cited Irving’s refined skill set and ball-handling as the primary reasons for his selection. Watson, who was traded to the Cavaliers following a stint with the Denver Nuggets, noted that he struggled early in his career while defending teammates in practice. He specifically recalled a one-on-one session against Porter Jr. that served as a catalyst for his defensive development. The 23-year-old enters his new role with the Cavaliers after establishing himself as a versatile defender throughout the 2025-26 season. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game during his first year as a starter.

• 4:28 AMYahoo Sports — Peyton Watson Explains Why Kyrie Irving Is The Toughest Player He’s Ever Guarded