The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 120-98 on Friday night at Ball Arena, improving to 13-10 on the season. Denver relied on Jamal Murray’s game-high 20 points to secure the win, while Nikola Jokic had an uncharacteristically quiet outing with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
Despite Jokic’s subdued performance, the Nuggets controlled the game through balanced scoring and a suffocating defensive effort. Michael Porter Jr. added 17 points, including 10 in a pivotal third quarter.
The Clippers, now 14-12, struggled with turnovers, giving the ball away 19 times. James Harden, who scored 15 points, accounted for nine of those turnovers, hampering Los Angeles’ ability to find a rhythm. Norman Powell, who had previously thrived against Denver, was limited to 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting and connected on just three of his ten three-point attempts.
Denver’s bench contributed significantly, with Peyton Watson scoring 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and Julian Strawther adding 12 points. The Nuggets’ reserves outscored their Clippers counterparts, 45-44. Jokic, who had posted back-to-back games of 56 and 48 points, played under 30 minutes and sat out the entire fourth quarter.
For Los Angeles, Ivica Zubac was a bright spot with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 16 points off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s dominance in the paint and transition.
The Nuggets shot an efficient 54.5% from the field and converted 81.3% of their free throws, capitalizing on their opportunities. In contrast, the Clippers managed just 34.1% shooting from beyond the arc and 55.6% from the charity stripe.
The Clippers, missing key players like Kawhi Leonard and Terance Mann, will look to bounce back as they face mounting pressure in the competitive Western Conference. Denver, meanwhile, continues to build momentum as they aim to climb the standings.
