Clippers’ Comeback Victory
The Clippers staged an impressive comeback today, erasing a deficit of up to 17 points. Paul George and James Harden combined to lead the charge, securing a narrow 102-100 victory over the Nuggets and knocking them down to second place in the Western Conference standings.
Nuggets’ Strong Start
The Nuggets came out strong in the first quarter, outscoring the Clippers 25-8, with Nikola Jokic leading the charge with 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Clippers Fight Back
In the second quarter, the Clippers rallied behind Russell Westbrook, Amir Coffey, and Norman Powell to close the gap. Harden contributed 14 points in the quarter, helping the Clippers take a 53-49 lead at halftime.
Intensity in the Second Half
Both teams engaged in a physical battle in the second half, with frustrations mounting towards the referees. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was ejected from the game with 7 minutes and 54 seconds remaining. Paul George and Ivica Zubac made crucial plays down the stretch to maintain the Clippers’ lead.
Late Drama
With 33.1 seconds left, Aaron Gordon slipped and missed a chance to tie the game for the Nuggets. Jokic’s last-second three-point attempt also fell short, sealing the Clippers’ victory.
Impressive Performances
Paul George led the Clippers with 28 points and 3 steals, while Harden contributed 20 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Zubac added 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Westbrook contributed 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists off the bench. Harden also achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to reach 25,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, and 7,000 assists, joining the likes of Oscar Robertson, LeBron James, and Westbrook.
Jokic’s Triple-Double Effort
Despite the loss, Jokic delivered a stellar performance with 36 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, recording his 24th triple-double of the season. Aaron Gordon added 18 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds for the Nuggets, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 16 points with four three-pointers, and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with 14 points and 9 rebounds. (Lvbet)
