Clippers forward Robert Covington, left, picks up a loose ball as Denver Nuggets guard Davon Reed defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is fouled by the Clippers’ Norman Powell during the first half on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, battles the Denver Nuggets’ Vlatko Cancar for the ball during the first half on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji dunks next to Clippers center Moses Brown during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left, Clippers guard John Wall and forwards Kawhi Leonard and Nicolas Batum watch from the bench during the second half of their blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar, left, looks to pass the ball as Clippers forward Robert Covington defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue walks on the court during a timeout in the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Terance Mann dunks between Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown, left, and center Nikola Jokic during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front, passes the ball as Clippers center Moses Brown defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers forward Norman Powell, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac dunks during the first half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Bones Hyland appeals to referees for a call during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. shoots as Clippers guard Luke Kennard defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Clippers’ Brandon Boston Jr. goes to the basket as the Denver Nuggets’ Zeke Nnaji defends during the first half on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue gestures to the bench during the second half of their blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Davon Reed, left, knocks the ball away from Clippers guard Terance Mann during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic looks to pass the ball as Clippers forward Norman Powell defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers forward Norman Powell, right, drives as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone watches from the sidelines during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Davon Reed drives against Clippers guard Brandon Boston Jr. during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue heads to the bench during a timeout in the second half of their blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, left, gets trapped with the ball by Clippers forward Robert Covington, back right, and center Moses Brown during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar, left, is defended by Clippers forward Robert Covington during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Denver Nuggets’ Zeke Nnaji dunks over the Clippers’ Jason Preston during the second half on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue instructs his team during the first half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun dunks during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Norman Powell reacts as he heads to the bench during the second half of their blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, right, confers with guard Ish Smith during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER — The Clippers did not have it Thursday night, and they waved the white flag early on the first night of a back-to-back set.
Jamal Murray sparked Denver by scoring 13 of his 18 points in the first quarter, and the Nuggets led by as many as 43 in cruising to a 122-91 win over the Clippers on Thursday night.
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers had a rough shooting night as they dropped their fourth straight game. They shot 37.4% from the floor, including a 5-for-37 showing from 3-point range.
Leonard finished with six points while George, playing with a sore hamstring, had three. Neither played in the second half and they were a combined 3 for 16 from the field. None of the Clippers’ starters scored in double figures. Norman Powell led the way with 13 points.
“We didn’t have a defensive mindset to start the game and it kind of hurt us,” Coach Tyronn Lue said. “We’ve got to be better defensively. We knew that coming into the game, or they embarrass you. Tonight was a tough game for us.”
By contrast, the Nuggets picked the perfect time to turn in one of their best performances of the season. In a nationally televised game, Denver was pushing the pace and showing why the team is tied with Memphis for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Nuggets shot 50.6% from the floor and finished with 28 assists.
“Wins like this give us a lot of confidence and build a lot of chemistry,” Murray said. “Sets a standard for us.”
It wasn’t even Nikola Jokic doing most of the damage, either. The two-time reigning league MVP had 12 points, six rebounds and nine assists before taking the fourth quarter off.
Murray was one of seven Denver players to finish in double figures. He hit four of the team’s 14 3-pointers.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope helped fuel a 19-0 run in the second quarter to turn the game into a rout.
“I’ve been around people who would not allow themselves to enjoy the wins, to enjoy the moment. I’m not that guy,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “But I’m also not going to party and celebrate.
“That was a hell of a win for us. A convincing win, from beginning to end. Everybody contributed. We’re in first place in the Western Conference. We’re not there yet. But we’re on our way. I like where we’re at and, more importantly, I like who I’m going there with.”
Murray set the tone early with his 13-point opening quarter on 5-of-6 shooting. The dynamic point guard is off to an up-and-down start as he works his way back from a torn ACL that caused him to miss last season.
On the plane ride home from a loss in Minnesota this week, Malone sat next to Murray for a heart-to-heart chat.
“It was me just trying to reach out to a player and show him support,” Malone said. “That’s just the relationship that Jamal and I have. Constant communication, collaboration.”
TIP-INS
Clippers: Forward Nicolas Batum sat out with a sprained left ankle. … Guard John Wall was inactive (left knee injury management).
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar had 15 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. … Bones Hyland scored 16.
DEFENSIVE STALWART
Michael Porter Jr. was picked as Denver’s defensive player of the game. Malone cracked that Caldwell-Pope fell out of his chair. Porter is trying to make strides on the defensive end.
BACK-TO-BACK
Murray feels confident he can play Friday night against Cleveland on a back-to-back.
“I haven’t done that, so just another part of my recovery, part of the rehab that’s going well,” he said.
UP NEXT
The Clippers play at Minnesota on Friday at 6 p.m. PT
