DENVER — The Los Angeles Clippers faced a critical moment in their playoff journey on Tuesday night, but unfortunately for them, it turned into another painful chapter. In Game 5 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers fell 131-115 at Ball Arena, leaving them one loss away from elimination. With this defeat, they now trail the best-of-seven series 3-2, putting immense pressure on their upcoming Game 6.
From the opening tip, it was clear that the Clippers were in for a tough night. They struggled to find their rhythm and found themselves in a deep hole early on, trailing by as much as 22 points in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets, led by Jamal Murray's explosive performance, took full advantage of the Clippers' slow start.
“I don’t think (it’s) sense of urgency. I think they kicked our butt,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said after the game. “They played well. Game 4, like I said, I didn’t think we came out with a sense of urgency. But tonight I thought we had the right intent and they just took it to us.”
Murray was nothing short of sensational, scoring a series-high 43 points, shooting 17-for-26 from the field, including 8-for-14 from beyond the arc. His performance was pivotal in establishing the Nuggets' dominance throughout the game. “I’m just glad we got a win, man, to be honest with you,” Murray remarked. “Shots are going to miss, they are going to make. I’m still going to play my game. I’m still going to be aggressive. I’m going to shoot the shots that I shoot. But like I said, it was a team win.”
While the Clippers had some bright spots, including Ivica Zubac's playoff career-high of 27 points and Kawhi Leonard's near triple-double with 20 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, it wasn't enough to overcome the Nuggets' firepower. Zubac acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, “We’re trying to figure it out. They are more physical to start. I don’t think it’s a tactical thing, or strategies. It’s just we got to play harder.”
The Nuggets also received a significant boost from their star center, Nikola Jokic, who contributed a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. His ability to facilitate the offense while also being a defensive presence was instrumental in the Nuggets' success.
As the game progressed, the Clippers were forced to call a timeout after Murray hit a three-pointer and assisted Aaron Gordon for another, extending the Nuggets' lead. Lue's frustration was evident as he watched his team struggle to contain Murray and the rest of the Nuggets' roster.
Looking ahead, the Clippers face a do-or-die scenario in Game 6, scheduled for Thursday night at the Intuit Dome. If they can muster a win, they will force a decisive Game 7 back in Denver on Saturday. However, history isn’t on their side; teams that win Game 5 of a tied series have advanced to the next round 81.3% of the time.
“Win Game 6 on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome or the season is over for the Clippers,” Lue emphasized, highlighting the gravity of the situation. “If we win, then the winner-take-all Game 7 is Saturday in Denver.”
The stakes couldn't be higher for the Clippers, who are looking to avoid being eliminated in the first round for the third consecutive season. As they prepare for this crucial matchup, the team will need to find a way to start strong and maintain their intensity throughout the game. The pressure is mounting, and the time for action is now.
