Nikola Jokic powered the Denver Nuggets past the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in overtime Saturday night, as the defending champions overcame early adversity and a 15-point first-half hole to take Game 1 of their first-round series.
Jokic finished with 29 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds, while Aaron Gordon added 25 points and Jamal Murray scored 21 to lead Denver in its first playoff game since the surprise firing of head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth.
Despite shooting just 5-for-17 from the field, Russell Westbrook was instrumental in Denver’s late-game execution and defensive pressure, tallying 15 points, eight rebounds, and forcing several key turnovers against his former team.
The Clippers committed 20 giveaways on the night, including seven from Kawhi Leonard, who still managed 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting.
James Harden carried Los Angeles with 32 points and 11 assists, while Ivica Zubac chipped in 21 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort.
Los Angeles entered the series as the NBA’s hottest team, having won 18 of their final 21 regular season games, including eight straight, but saw that streak snapped at Ball Arena.
A 13-2 Denver run to close the second quarter cut the deficit to four at halftime, and Nuggets interim coach David Adelman called that stretch the turning point.
Jokic nailed a late triple in overtime and made a key assist to Gordon on the baseline to help seal the win.
Denver shot 43.6% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range, while also outrebounding Los Angeles 45-44.
The Clippers had five players in double figures but couldn’t overcome their miscues in the extra period.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night in Denver, where the Nuggets will look to take a 2-0 lead before the series shifts to Los Angeles.
