Leonard’s Absence
Despite the absence of Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers secured a narrow 120-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic’s impressive triple-double performance of 36 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists was not enough to lift the Nuggets to victory. Leonard missed his second consecutive game due to a sore right knee.
Nuggets’ Strong Start
The Nuggets started the game aggressively, outscoring the Clippers 31-20 in the first quarter, with a remarkable 25-8 run to begin the game. However, the Clippers, led by Paul George and James Harden, mounted a comeback and took a 75-70 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Malone’s Ejection
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone was ejected from the game with 7 minutes and 54 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with the referees. This may have impacted the Nuggets’ ability to mount a successful comeback.
Late Drama
Despite a late surge from the Nuggets, including Jokic’s last-second three-point attempt, the Clippers managed to hold on to their lead. Harden’s step-back three-pointer with 32.2 seconds left in the first half gave the Clippers a crucial lead that they maintained throughout the game.
Jokic’s Assessment
Jokic acknowledged Leonard’s absence but praised the Clippers’ depth and defensive versatility, which contributed to their success. He emphasized the difficulty of his last-second shot attempt and recognized the Clippers’ ability to defend in critical moments.
Balanced Scoring
For the Clippers, George led with 28 points and 3 steals, while Harden contributed 20 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Ivica Zubac recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists off the bench.
Harden’s Reflection
Harden expressed satisfaction with the victory, highlighting the team’s resilience despite a poor start in the first quarter. He credited the team’s defensive effort for securing the win.
Implications
The victory solidifies the Clippers’ position as the fourth seed in the Western Conference, leading the Dallas Mavericks by 2 games and holding a 3-game lead over the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division. The loss for the Nuggets slightly hampers their pursuit of the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, as they now trail the Minnesota Timberwolves by 0.5 games and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder by the same margin in their respective divisions. (Lvbet)
