Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) prepares to pass the ball away from LA Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) in the second half of an NBA game at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Jamal Murray had 21 points and nine assists, Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr. scored 19 points each and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-103 in the NBA on Wednesday night.
Julian Strawther contributed 16 points, Christian Braun added 15 and DeAndre Jordan had a season-high 12 points along with nine rebounds for Denver. The Nuggets, who lost to the visiting Boston Celtics on Tuesday, are 8-0 in the second game of back-to-backs.
Article continues after this advertisementBoth teams were without star players. Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard returned to Los Angeles earlier Wednesday to be with his family because of the wildfires. Denver center Nikola Jokic missed his second straight game due to illness.
gcash88FEATURED STORIES SPORTS UAAP: Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero leave UE, transfer to UP SPORTS EJ Obiena focused on vaulting back to lofty ranking SPORTS Australian Open 2025: Schedule, how to watch on TV, betting oddsREAD: Kawhi Leonard leaves team before NBA game due to Los Angeles fires
Norman Powell scored a game-high 30 points, James Harden finished with 16 and Ivica Zubac and Kevin Porter Jr. added 10 each for the Clippers, who have lost four of their last five.
Article continues after this advertisementThe teams split four games this season, with three of those played on the Nuggets’ court.
Article continues after this advertisementJan 8, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) reacts following a score in the second quarter against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Both teams struggled to score early in the third quarter, and Denver’s lead stayed within 16 for the first few minutes before it started to extend its advantage.
Article continues after this advertisementJordan made two free throws and dunked off a pass from Westbrook, Murray made two from the line, Westbrook scored on a fastbreak layup and a putback to give the Nuggets an 83-59 lead.
Denver continued to build its advantage. Westbrook converted a three-point play and Peyton Watson fed Jordan for another dunk to make it 94-67 with 4:36 left in the third, and the Nuggets headed into the final period up 98-77.
Article continues after this advertisementMurray hit two 3-pointers in the first few minutes of the fourth as Denver went up 109-80.
The Nuggets used a 20-3 first-quarter run to go ahead 30-13 and led 33-19 after one period. They made five straight 3-pointers in the second quarter to push the lead to 55-30 with 7:28 left before halftime.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) ended flat at 6,984.63, up by 0.01 percent, or 0.38 points.
Los Angeles scored the next 10 points to get back into range and the teams went into intermission with Denver ahead 66-50. –Field Level Media2kbet
READ NEXT NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo breaks Bucks’ double-double m... NBA: Trail Blazers knock off Pelicans for third time this season EDITORS' PICK Legarda honored with PhD, urges students to build resilient future Pepsi Paloma script handed by intermediary to Vic Sotto’s ‘sibling who is a senator’ A surreal finish to Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial More villages affected by floods in Bicol Firefighters race to beat LA blazes as winds grow, death toll hits 16 Poe pushes for animal welfare bill passage amid rising abuse cases MOST READ Rep. Castro says INC rally a move to shield VP Sara Duterte Greenhills Shopping Center stays on US watch list 'Pepsi Paloma' script handed by emissary to Vic Sotto's 'sibling who's a senator' Gatchalian: INC rally will make pols ‘think twice’ on VP Duterte Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments