Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue reflected on his team’s 101-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their playoff series on Saturday. The Nuggets secured a thrilling win with Aaron Gordon’s last-second dunk off an offensive rebound, leveling the series at 2-2.
Lue acknowledged Denver’s early aggression, which set the tone for the game. “They were more aggressive to start the game,” Lue said. “They picked up their pressure, sped us up, and we couldn’t handle it early.” Despite the pressure, the Clippers managed to claw back in the second half, fueled by a strong performance from Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell.
The Clippers’ fourth-quarter comeback was impressive, as they erased a 22-point deficit. “We picked up our intensity and played more aggressive defense,” Lue explained. “We also played faster, executed our offense, and showed some different looks. That’s when we got back into the game.”
However, Lue noted that the team’s inability to deal with Denver’s pressure earlier in the game ultimately cost them. “Their aggressiveness took us out of what we’ve been doing,” he said. “We just didn’t meet their intensity until the fourth quarter.”
Nikola Jokic was a dominant force for the Nuggets, finishing with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists. Lue commended Jokic’s efforts, particularly his ability to control the game. “When your team is down, he’s got to be the one to take over,” Lue stated. “Great players like him do that. We expected him to be aggressive, and he was.”
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Lue remains confident heading into Game 5. “We know what we have to do,” he said. “We have the blueprint. Now, we need to execute it better, meet their intensity from the start, and be ready for the challenge in Denver.”
Lue also addressed the crucial moments leading to Denver’s game-winning dunk. With 16 seconds left, the Clippers pushed to score quickly to avoid giving the Nuggets another possession. “We wanted to attack early, get a quick shot, and try to get a stop,” Lue explained. “Unfortunately, we missed an important box-out, and that gave Gordon the chance to dunk it in.”
With the series now tied, both teams head into Game 5 with everything to play for. The Nuggets will host the next matchup at Ball Arena, where both squads will look to seize control of the series.
