Jamal Murray Shines as Nuggets Dominate Clippers Despite Quiet Night from Jokic

Jamal Murray stepped up in a big way, scoring a game-high 20 points and sparking the Denver Nuggets to a commanding 120-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

With Nikola Jokic posting a surprisingly subdued performance, Denver leaned on its supporting cast to secure the win and improve to 4-0 against Los Angeles this season.

Jokic Has an Off Night

Nikola Jokic, who was coming off back-to-back games of 56 and 48 points, was held to a season-low two assists, along with 16 points and seven rebounds. Despite his quiet night, Denver managed to dominate, showcasing the depth that has made them a legitimate title contender. Jokic sat out the entire fourth quarter, allowing Denver’s reserves to finish the job in emphatic fashion.

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Clippers Collapse in the Third

The Clippers seemed poised to make it a competitive game after erasing a 12-point deficit in the second quarter with an 18-0 run. Los Angeles capitalized on eight missed shots and 10 turnovers by Denver during the stretch, turning the momentum in their favor. But the Nuggets came out of halftime with a vengeance, using a 23-5 run in the third quarter to take full control of the game. Michael Porter Jr. scored 10 of his 17 points during the pivotal stretch, helping Denver outscore Los Angeles 32-17 in the period.

Jamal Murray Sparks Denver’s Turnaround

Murray’s impact went beyond the scoring column. Early in the second half, with the Clippers holding a slim 58-55 lead, Murray made back-to-back steals that ignited Denver’s momentum-turning run. His energy on both ends of the court set the tone for a dominant second half, as the Nuggets outclassed the Clippers in every facet of the game.

Clippers Struggle Again

James Harden led the Clippers with 15 points, but his nine turnovers were a glaring issue in a game where Los Angeles couldn’t keep up with Denver’s relentless pace. Norman Powell, who had been a standout in the first two meetings against the Nuggets this season, was limited to 16 points and struggled from beyond the arc, going just 3-of-10.

The loss marked the second straight defeat for the Clippers, who are still searching for consistency amid a stretch of uneven performances.

Defensive Milestone for Denver

For the first time since April 9, the Nuggets held an opponent under 100 points, a testament to their improved defensive focus. Coach Michael Malone has been vocal about lightening Jokic’s load this season, and Friday’s performance showed that the team can thrive even when their MVP isn’t at his best.

Key Stats and Takeaways

Denver came into the game with an unusual trend: 0-5 when playing after two or more days of rest, but 4-0 in the second game of a back-to-back. That pattern didn’t hold on Friday, as the Nuggets broke through with a dominant performance.

On the Clippers’ side, turnovers were their undoing, as they coughed up the ball 18 times and struggled to match Denver’s pace.

What’s Next

Both teams are back in action Monday night. The Clippers will host the Utah Jazz, looking to right the ship after back-to-back losses. Meanwhile, the Nuggets hit the road to face the Sacramento Kings, aiming to build on their defensive momentum and maintain their strong start to the season.

With Murray stepping into the spotlight and Denver proving its depth, this win serves as a reminder of why the Nuggets are among the most dangerous teams in the league. As for the Clippers, questions about chemistry and consistency will continue to linger as they try to regain their footing.