The Denver Nuggets secured their third consecutive victory by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 126-103 on Wednesday night during a matchup heavily marked by notable absences from both teams. The Clippers were without star forward Kawhi Leonard, who had to return to Los Angeles to help his family deal with wildfires, and the Nuggets missed their talismanic center Nikola Jokic due to illness. Despite being short-handed, the Nuggets showcased their depth and resilience, principally led by Jamal Murray's outstanding performance.
Murray delivered a stellar show with 21 points and nine assists, steering Denver's attack with poise and precision. Russell Westbrook, playing for the Clippers, contributed with 19 points and eight assists, but it was not enough to turn the tide against the Nuggets. Clipping the Clippers’ hopes was Aron Powell, who scored 30 points, highlighting his scoring prowess but unable to secure the win for his team.
The game kicked off with the Nuggets establishing dominance early on. They burst out of the gates with intensity, orchestrated by coach Michael Malone's decision to start DeAndre Jordan for the very first time this season due to Jokic's absence. Jordan made his presence felt, ending the night with 12 points and matching his season-high with nine rebounds. His impact was pivotal; he energized the crowd and his teammates, particularly during the pivotal third quarter.
Denver took control early, executing well during the first quarter with what became a game-defining 20-3 run. They led 55-30 late in the second quarter, forcing the Clippers to claw their way back to only trail by 16 points at halftime, highlighting both the Nuggets' offensive strength and the Clippers’ struggles without their star player.
The Nuggets' superior running game became evident, as they exploited the Clippers’ defensive lapses, allowing them to take the lead they never relinquished. Jordan cemented his contribution, particularly during the third quarter, where he was electric, throwing down alley-oop dunks and consistently scoring. His two successful free throws and strong finishes helped the Nuggets extend their lead from 16 to 27 points, signaling the Clippers' struggles.
Statistically, the Nuggets excelled, especially considering their now-impressive record of 8-0 on the second leg of back-to-backs this season, compared to their 2-6 record when playing the first game of back-to-backs. Clearly, their conditioning and bench depth are proving advantageous.
Despite Powell’s best efforts for the Clippers, hitting 85.2% from the free-throw line prior to this game, he missed three out of six third-quarter attempts, showcasing the pressure the game exerted upon him and the team at large. The Clippers struggled with free-throw shooting, missing five of their fifteen attempts during one stretch, demonstrating their overall lack of rhythm and success.
With the scoreboard already heavily tilted, the Nuggets continued to assert their dominance. They utilized another spurt midway through the third quarter to pull away decisively, reflecting both solid execution and the Clippers’ inability to contain their offensive set.
Looking forward, the Clippers will return home to face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night, hoping to rebound from this defeat and find ways to cope without Leonard. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, riding high from three consecutive wins and seeking to build momentum heading deep within the season.
The game showcased how quickly teams could find themselves at the mercy of circumstances such as injuries and personal matters, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the NBA. Notably, with players stepping up and others sidelined, the roles within teams will continue to evolve as they navigate this season.
This clash serves as both a cautionary tale for teams heavily reliant on their stars and as reinforcement for others who have the depth to weather similar storms. How both the Nuggets and Clippers adjust moving forward will be key; it’s not just the star players but the role players who will have to step up to contend at high levels.