The Los Angeles Clippers secured a hard-fought 102-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets despite a 36-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic. The win ended a five-game home losing streak for the Clippers. Missing Kawhi Leonard due to knee soreness, the Clippers had solid contributions from Paul George, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac to secure the win.
The Clippers struggled early on, falling behind by 17 points in the first half, but they mounted a comeback with a strong defensive effort in the second half. Harden, who finished with 20 points, led the charge as the Clippers held off the Nuggets down the stretch. Leonard, who has been dealing with knee issues, missed his second consecutive game, but the Clippers managed to find success without him.
Jokic’s impressive performance was not enough for the Nuggets, who were missing Jamal Murray due to a knee injury. Despite the loss, the Nuggets showcased their depth with other players stepping up in Murray’s absence. Coach Michael Malone was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter, further complicating matters for the Nuggets.
The win was a much-needed boost for the Clippers as they look to solidify their playoff positioning in a competitive Western Conference. The victory over the defending champions will give them confidence as they prepare for their upcoming games. The Clippers will hope to build on this win and continue their strong play in Leonard’s absence.
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