Nuggets vs. Clippers: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Denver Nuggets (16-16) play against the Los Angeles Clippers (16-16) at STAPLES Center

Game Time: 9:00 PM EST on Sunday December 26, 2021

Denver Nuggets 103, Los Angeles Clippers 100 (Final)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
NEW episode of Pickaxe and Roll is up!
My thoughts on the Nuggets 103-100 win over the Clippers, including:
-Jokić dominance but also efficiency concerns
-Rivers steps up in starting unit
-Bench hits huge first half threes
-Davon Reed earning his 10-day denverstiffs.com/2021/12/27/228… – 2:21 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Goodnight, Nuggets Nation.
(and don’t forget to vote!)
#NikolaJokic #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/TIexpz72e2 – 1:30 AM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Davon Reed 🔒 pic.twitter.com/euxs7MBmQ7 – 1:29 AM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Tonight’s game reminded me of season opener at Golden State.
– Large deficit that reached nearly 20
– deficit erased very quickly (2nd quarter at GS, 3rd quarter vs DEN)
– Lead nearly at 10 early in 4th
– The drought
– MVP overwhelming
– Clippers lose by one possession – 1:19 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Pulled out the W in LA 🙌
Key takeaways: https://t.co/8MeKVpULog
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/26AK5hhQDk – 1:05 AM Michael Singer @msinger
Reporting 101: Ask about the guy who had 26 points, 22 rebounds, 8 assists, two steals and two blocks.
Malone took Qs from myself & others a/b resiliency, Davon Reed, if the win was his best Xmas gift, Austin starting, Campazzo & the 4th Q defense. Joker? Never heard of him. – 12:51 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
You knew who was getting DPOG tonight…
😤 @Davon Reed pic.twitter.com/hw6aGDBAUE – 12:35 AM Michael Singer @msinger
Nikola Jokic on Davon Reed: “He’s a warrior.”
Said he doesn’t make any excuses.
Jokic knows it’s not his decision re. Davon’s 10-day but joked if anyone’s good they can join the #Nuggets. – 12:29 AM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
In the seven minutes Facu was on the floor in the second half, the Nuggets scored zero points. – 12:19 AM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Nuggets are now 4-0 in games that Davon Reed plays 15+ minutes and 12-16 in all other games.
Get this man a shiel–full-time contract. – 12:02 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
The first player to record 25+ PTS, 20+ REB, and 5+ AST in back-to-back games since Charles Barkley in 1988 🤯
#NikolaJokic #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/pRP1CT03Md – 11:57 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Davon Reed said it’s been “transformative for my career” to have Michael Malone instill confidence in him and tell him he belongs. – 11:54 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Brandon Boston Jr. on the youngsters’ role with the short-handed Clippers: “We jell very good, we’re all in the same position. Try to help each other out, go out and play winning basketball.” – 11:53 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Davon Reed takes home the DPOG chain once again. – 11:50 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Terance Mann on defending Jokic: “I don’t think there’s anyone like him in the league — how hard it is to gameplan for him. You don’t know what he’s gonna do … ” – 11:47 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Terance Mann: “I was praying that it wasn’t going to get close, because they have a great closer. And we’re missing ours…” – 11:47 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Terance Mann: “I was praying it wouldn’t get to a close game because they got a great closer” in Jokic. – 11:46 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Terance Mann on Amir Coffey’s growth: “He’s learning, he’s been watching for a while and he’s been learning from the side … now it’s working out real well for him.” – 11:46 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Final numbers from tonight’s W 📊 pic.twitter.com/V4t9JgPkuz – 11:44 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Ty Lue says the final play was intended for Luke Kennard, a look over the top to him, but Denver took it away. – 11:43 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Lue says that Mann could be more aggressive while praising his feel for the game – 11:42 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Ty Lue says the minutes that hurt them were when Jokic was off the floor in the first half, where the Clippers were outscored by 17 points in those 7 minutes.
Lue praising Rivers and Davon Reed repeatedly – 11:40 PM Davon Reed @ClutchREED_5
All Praise To The Most High🙏 🗣 – 11:38 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Ty Lue on the turnaround tonight: “We did it with our defense, our bench came in and did a great job … thought our guys did a good job, we were in position to win the game.
“We had our chances, they came back … (Joker) was able to bring them home.” – 11:37 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Nuggets made 15/41 3s tonight.
It’s the 8th time Clippers have allowed 15+ 3s tonight… and they’re 1-7 in those games (the lone win was in Minnesota, where the Clippers trailed by 20 points) – 11:35 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
26, 22, 8, 3, 2 tonight alone.
these Jokic box scores this month are nuts. pic.twitter.com/UGttXkcqiv – 11:34 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Battled to the final buzzer. pic.twitter.com/6vTj3crmqi – 11:34 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
LOCKED DOWN
🔒 @Davon Reed 🔒 pic.twitter.com/QMvlbkrVuD – 11:33 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
We are in the Winner’s Lounge. Finally. Exhale and come join us.
Jokic sets a new Nuggets record
Davon Reed shines
Austin Rivers hits some big shots
youtube.com/watch?v=dXWqGN… – 11:32 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Winner’s Lounge with @Adam Mares, @BrendanVogt, @Duvalier Johnson and me.
– Jokic’s B2B 20-20 games
– Big shot Austin Rivers
– Davon Reed steps up
youtube.com/watch?v=dXWqGN… – 11:31 PM Ralph Lawler @Ohmeomy
A spirited effort by the Clippers in a narrow 3-point loss to Denver tonight. The Nuggets were down to one star in Jokic and with Leonard and George in civilian clothes, that was enough in the end. Brooklyn tomorrow night. – 11:27 PM StatMuse @statmuse
After 27 games, Nikola Jokic is still having the greatest PER season of all time.
32.7 — Jokic in 2021-22
32.1 — Wilt in 1961-62
31.9 — Giannis in 2019-20 pic.twitter.com/OXvMjX6vkq – 11:27 PM Michael Singer @msinger
26 points, 22 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals.
Second-straight 20/20 game for Joker. – 11:27 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Fought off the Sunday Scaries 😅
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/I1Jgnc4hsX – 11:26 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Should be an easy call: Waive Bol Bol (or trade him for what you can) and sign Davon Reed to his spot. Reed’s legitimately good, plays both ends of the floor and fits the Jokic Ball scheme. He’s going to get scooped up by another team if Denver let’s him get back to the G League. – 11:25 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Final rotations for the Nuggets as they beat the Clippers 103-100.
-Jokić with 26-22-8-2-3 which doesn’t suck
-Davon Reed with 15 points on 8 shots off the bench, plays the entire 4th, gets game-saving stop
-Idk everything else feels super meh pic.twitter.com/bPb6qumTSR – 11:24 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
The Nuggets really need to give Davon Reed a roster spot before another team does. – 11:24 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Denver had a 17 point lead, then forgot how to play basketball for an entire quarter, and pulled the victory out as mere mortals. They needed it, and earned it. And Jokic iced the win – Malone better be proud. – 11:24 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Brandon Boston Jr. couldn’t get free for a clean look at a 3, and the Nuggets get back to .500 with a 103-100 win.
LA is 17-16, same number of losses as the Nuggets. Those 4 3s from Austin Rivers were daggers, as Nuggets made 15 overall.
Nets return here tomorrow to face LAC. – 11:24 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
It’s frustrating watching Jokic pace himself on defense quarters 1-3 but you see why in 4th quarters like that. He has to do sooooo much on both ends of the floor for Denver to have a chance. – 11:23 PM Chris Dempsey @chrisadempsey
A great defensive stop…and a great game by Davon Reed. Fitting he was the guy to seal the deal, given his effort to help the #Nuggets get to that point all game long – 11:23 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Nikola Jokic tonight:
26 PTS
22 REB
8 AST
2 STL
3 BLK
It’s his 6th 20/20 game — passing Marcus Camby for the most in Nuggets franchise history. pic.twitter.com/JlWJvzAL3i – 11:23 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
The Clippers are now 17-16 with Brooklyn coming up tomorrow. – 11:22 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic’s last two games:
– 26 pts, 22 rebs, 8 asts vs. LAC
– 29 pts, 21 rebs, 5 asts vs. CHA
Nuggets are back to .500 – 11:22 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Final: Denver 103, Clippers 100
Clippers’ last possession was a 12-second Brandon Boston Jr. iso leading to a forced three. Clippers finish 8-26 from 3, while Denver shot 15-of-41 from deep. – 11:22 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
NUGGETS WIN pic.twitter.com/Z9kftHVxpp – 11:21 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Cool under pressure. pic.twitter.com/yRLaaX5MJ8 – 11:20 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Bledsoe was again, close to forcing a jump ball.
Jokic instead makes two FTs.
Nuggets have no fouls to give. Clippers have no timeouts, down 103-100 with 12.7 left.
LA is 8/25 from 3 tonight. – 11:20 PM Matt Williams @StatsWilliams
Nikola Jokic is the first player with 25 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in consecutive games since Charles Barkley in November 1988. – 11:20 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Keon Johnson was a heartbeat away from tying up Will Barton, but he got away.
Mann takes LAC foul to give. Then Jeff Green uses Denver’s last timeout.
Whole sequence took 5.7 seconds.
13.3 left, Nuggets up 101-100, Clippers have a timeout. – 11:17 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Things Denver simply cannot get right no matter how many tries they get:
– Out of bounds plays with pressure
– Entry passes to their 7-foot MVP – 11:17 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
What a play by Bledsoe to steal Morris pass in the backcourt, and somehow Clippers get it back after he missed the reverse through Jokic.
Kennard then hits his first 3 in an hour or so, with no feet of room in the corner.
Nuggets 101, Clippers 100. 19 seconds left. – 11:15 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
COOL HAND LUKE! 👌 – 11:15 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Terance Mann spearing Jokic with an elbow draws an offensive foul and that will probably do it. – 11:15 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
That Mann dunk ended a nearly 7-minute FG drought… and then Mann is called for a critical offensive foul out of the timeout. – 11:13 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
The situation: Clippers trailing 101-97 with 35 seconds to play and the ball. – 11:12 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
T-Mann with a TJ, and Barton with a missed 3 leaves door open for Clippers.
Lue calls timeout with 35.2 seconds left to set up a 2-for-1 with Nuggets up 101-97. – 11:12 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
It happens to the Clips a lot this year: Austin Rivers with 4 3s for the first time all season! – 11:11 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
JOK3R for the lead pic.twitter.com/wRs3T8lRM1 – 11:08 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic has back-to-back 20 point, 20 rebound games.
That’s NEVER been done in franchise history. He’s 1-of-1. – 11:06 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Go-ahead 3 by Nikola Jokic gives Nuggets a 96-94 lead, and Michael Malone uses his timeout at 3:18 before he loses it.
LAC field goal drought is at 4:29. – 11:06 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Back-to-back 20-point, 20-rebound games for Nikola Jokic. First time that’s ever happened in franchise history. – 11:05 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
BIG TIME JOK3R SIGHTING – 11:05 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Seriously though, Denver cannot let Reed go again – he won’t be coming back. Some other team will give him a 2-way at the very least. – 11:03 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Davon Reed’s jumper with 5:13 left in the fourth gives Denver its first bench points of the 2nd half. – 11:02 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Welp. Denver definitely deserves to lose this game after that Jokic heave. – 11:01 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Serge IBLOCKA! pic.twitter.com/CbDm0VMWwV – 11:01 PM Michael Singer @msinger
There’s trying to game the system, and then there’s whatever Nikola Jokic just tried to do. In no world is an official going to call a foul on a 75-foot 3-point try. – 11:00 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Now it’s the Clippers’ turn with a scoring drought of about 2 1/2 minutes. Just a two-point game with 5:13 to play. – 11:00 PM Kevin Pelton @kpelton
Nikola Jokic just anticipated the take foul and heaved the ball in the name of drawing a three-shot foul. Instead, no call as the ball bounced out of bounds. – 10:59 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
How Clippers finish this game will be fascinating.
Energy got them the lead and a 26-point turnaround.
But they now have to balance that by playing fundamentally sound basketball. 4 of last 5 possessions went scoreless.
LA still up 93-87 with 6:55 left to play. – 10:55 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
great moment to start this game in LA: Jokic tries to time the tipoff, but Bill Kennedy doesn’t throw it in the air so he ends up just standing there and twerking.
Bill Kennedy needs a second to laugh before resuming. pic.twitter.com/MBdjAtsrYZ – 10:55 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Never too late for some @coffeyshop_
📺 @BallySportWest | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/4HDP3MtO1t – 10:54 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Bledsoe. #GetToThePaintOrDieTryin – 10:53 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Serge IBLOCKa is here. – 10:51 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Bled, Zu, Batum, PG all on their feet after that Coffey 3 – 10:51 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Keep it up.
📺 @BallySportWest | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/6KnqAUQwND – 10:48 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
The Nuggets 3rd quarter against the Clippers was just as bad as the 4th quarter against Charlotte.
What was once a big lead has turned into a deficit.
Danger zone for Denver against a not-so-good Clippers team. – 10:48 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
A special blend from Amir Coffey tonight — slashes to the rim in the half-court, transition buckets off of steals. – 10:48 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Jokic has made 7 shots and missed 12 in 3 quarters. Still waiting to find out that his sprained shooting wrist was worse than we were told, because he hasn’t been right since. – 10:47 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Fun with +/-
Clippers have outscored Nuggets by 21 points in Terance Mann’s 27.5 minutes tonight through 3 quarters – 10:46 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Clippers 83, Nuggets 79 | End 3 | Clippers forced five turnovers and held Denver to 6-26 shooting (2-10 from 3) en route to a 28-15 quarter. TMann played all 12 minutes — 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and some will power. – 10:46 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
It’s a new game after Clippers finished last 7:45 of 3rd quarter on 26-5 run to take a 83-79 lead.
Now, anyone in this building yesterday knows that you only get credit for comebacks if you’re up at the end of the game. So we shall see how this one goes, but LA in a good spot. – 10:45 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
12 minutes to turn things around pic.twitter.com/WxHqo6X0WD – 10:45 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Denver led 74-57 with 7:45 to play in the third.
Entering the fourth, the Clippers now lead 83-79. – 10:44 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Brutal point swing in this game. When momentum goes away from the Nuggets these last few games they’ve been completely incapable of stemming the tide either with offense or defensive execution. – 10:41 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
SERGE FOR THREE!! 👌
📺 @BallySportWest | @Serge Ibaka pic.twitter.com/Lf4RlTeJla – 10:41 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
I don’t even know where to begin with the Nuggets starters right now. Just a mess all around. – 10:40 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Not a good quarter for Jok. Needs to be willing to cede touches and shots to Davon Reed at this point. – 10:39 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Nuggets were up 17 points (74-57) with 7:45 left in the third.
It’s now 79-79 with 2:03 left in the third. That’s a 22-5 run. – 10:39 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Tie ball game.
Nuggets were up by 9 points at the half and the Clippers have stormed back into the game and locked it up.
Stagnant offense and not much movement from Denver and Jokic have missed some bunnies at the rim.
The second unit will have to bring momentum again. – 10:39 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
It’s been a while but it’s BACK
Nuggets have blown a 17-point lead.
22-5 Clippers run after b2b 3s from Ibaka and Bledsoe have tied game at 79 with 2:03 left.
Nuggets have been outscored by 17 points in Nikola Jokic’s minutes tonight. pic.twitter.com/x441r1aamg – 10:39 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Ibaka throws himself on the floor trying to secure a loose ball, gets called for the foul — and helped up by all four Clippers standing on the court. – 10:37 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
DENIED
 📺 @BallySportWest | @Ivica Zubac pic.twitter.com/9ONAVYcGTv – 10:36 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
These refs are struggling tonight (both sides) but it’s extremely annoying watching Jokic get fouled hard enough to actually affect his shot and not getting those calls. – 10:36 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
His vision is unmatched 👀 pic.twitter.com/teQ64CN05a – 10:34 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
The less we say about the officiating the better 😅😅
Both centers have scowled at the refs, and Clippers have taken advantage and turned the defense and physicality up.
Nuggets were up 17, Clippers on a 16-5 run since. Nuggets just blew a 19-point lead at home Thursday. – 10:34 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
That’s a 16-5 run by the Clippers to cut into Denver’s lead, which is down to just six. – 10:33 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Coffey is … caffeinated? Shirt untucked, Amir is flying all over the place, forcing the action one way or another — including with a pretty reverse layup to cut Denver’s lead to 79-73 with 3:19 to play in the third. – 10:33 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Monte Morris came into this game in a funk.
Started this game struggling against as he was 1-7 from the field.
He responds by knocking down three straight shots and hitting the 3-ball. – 10:29 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Every time Austin Rivers goes 1-on-3 for a failed rim attempt instead of giving the ball to Jokic he should be benched. Just the facts. – 10:28 PM Michael Singer @msinger
If my math is right, think Davon Reed’s second 10-day expires on the 28th … meaning #Nuggets would have him for Tuesday’s game at Golden State. – 10:24 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Double-double.
In 20 minutes.
#NikolaJokic #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/jNomzWlbtz – 10:24 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Luke Kennard has played 277 career NBA games. This is only the fourth time he’s recorded at least five fouls. – 10:23 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets had a really hard time getting Nikola Jokic the ball in the first half against the Clippers’ switching defense. That hasn’t been the case to start the third quarter: 17 points (7-12 FG’s), 9 rebs, 6 asts for Jokic in 19 minutes tonight. – 10:23 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Davon Reed led the Nuggets in the first half with 13 points, and now the regression is hitting for the first units.
Jokic up to 17/10/6, and Nuggets have largest lead of the game, up 71-57 with 9:14 left in third quarter. – 10:23 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Nikola Jokic in 20 minutes: 17/10/6. – 10:22 PM Michael Singer @msinger
That’s the third time Jokic has collected his missed shot only to finish the second-chance bucket. … He just padding his rebounding numbers? – 10:20 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
5 fouls on Luke Kennard with 9:39 left in the third quarter, so it’s going to be a lot of Brandon Boston Jr. going forward tonight. – 10:20 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Four fouls now on Luke Kennard, not long into the second half. – 10:19 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Kawhi, LeBron, Candace … my kids are really impressed that I’ve seen the Amazing Sladek perform in person. pic.twitter.com/L1vN6IfpNh – 10:12 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs opponents usually score 38 points from three against the San Antonio defense.
That hasn’t been the case during the winning streak.
Clippers: 27 points from 3PT on 28% accuracy
Lakers: 15 pts on 19% acc
Pistons: 24 pts on 25% acc – 10:12 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Fresh 24 after the break. pic.twitter.com/g9MIANEfvP – 10:11 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Some first-half numbers 📊 pic.twitter.com/pMhMcObtIt – 10:10 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Halftime rotations for the Nuggets as they lead 64-55 over the Clippers:
-Jokić with 12-7-6, carrying Denver’s starting unit through some really bad perimeter defense
-Bench shooting lights out. 6 made threes between Reed, Facu, Bones, and J-Myke
-Barton finished half well pic.twitter.com/YIhOv51ol3 – 10:05 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Denver 64, Clippers 55 | Half | LAC is shooting 54.8% overall but got outscored 32-25 in the second quarter. Boston Jr.: 15 points, 5-8 shooting; Bled: 7 points, 6 assists; Mann: 4 points, 5 assists.
Davon Reed – on his second 10-day hardship exemption – leads Denver with 13. – 10:05 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Boston’s heave at the end of half wouldn’t have counted, and someone lost a beer too.
Nuggets up 64-55 at half despite LA shooting 54.8% from the field.
Expect Clippers to switch up the defense. Nuggets shooters are too hot (10/24 3s) and are outscoring LA 13-4 on 2nd chances. pic.twitter.com/9V6qMuUAGy – 10:04 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
The Nuggets take a 64-55 into the half over the short-handed Clippers.
Nikola Jokic slept walked into 12 points, 6 assists, 7 rebounds
Davon Reeded added 13 points off the bench and Barton has 10.
What’s your message to the team? – 10:04 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
more hoops after the break! pic.twitter.com/Fq4Cu9jXWy – 10:04 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Halftime arrives with the Clippers trailing 64-55 to Denver. The turning point has been LAC’s inability to score in those prime non-Jokic minutes but there have been moments they’ll gladly take, namely Brandon Boston Jr.’s return to form. – 10:02 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
13 in the first half for @Davon Reed 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/T8l1NM9rKm – 10:00 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Brandon Boston Jr. with 11 points on 4/5 FGs in this first half.
It’s his first time in double-figures since his 27-point breakout vs Celtics. In the six games in between, Boston had 27 points on 11/44 FGs.
Problem for LA right now is the defense and glass. Nuggets up 59-49 – 9:57 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Mark Daigneault on Tre Mann “his test we negative this morning, then he reported symptoms so we tested him again.” Mann entered health and safety protocols after warm ups. – 9:54 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Eric Bledsoe with two layups to help the Clippers keep in touch — Bled is 3 for 3 for 7 points, with five assists and a rebound in 13 minutes. – 9:51 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Give the ball to Davon Reed and get out of the way good lord – 9:51 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
THIS SEQUENCE >>> pic.twitter.com/YuvrnoRlyh – 9:51 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Bones Hyland is going at Luke … who commits his third foul (and chats about it with the ref on his way off the floor, as Terance Mann checks in for him). Bones is real quick, but wonder if Luke’s hip might be limiting him a bit too. – 9:49 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
That’s too easy for @BizzyBones11 🌬 pic.twitter.com/hmgYSdPvUz – 9:49 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
DAVON R333D – 9:48 PM Michael Singer @msinger
This second unit’s already got 23 points so far tonight. Love their mix of speed (Bones/Facu), playmaking (Reed), IQ (Vlatko) and toughness/defense (J-Myke). Group’s found something. – 9:46 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Already 23 points for Denver’s bench midway through the second quarter. Davon Reed’s knocked in two 3s. Vlatko Cancar’s giving the Nuggets really good rotation minutes again. No way he should be out of the rotation even when Aaron Gordon’s healthy. – 9:45 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Denver 44, Clippers 35 | 7:55, 2nd | The Clippers have been outscored 21-5 in the past 5:26 of play. – 9:45 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Clippers second unit really struggled defensively, following up the 11-2 run to end 1st quarter by giving up a 9-1 run here in second quarter. All five Nuggets reserves have a bucket, led by Davon Reed (8 points, 3/3 FGs, 2/2 3s).
Nuggets lead 44-35 with 7:55 left in first half. – 9:45 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Denver struggles mightily with Jokic off the floor this season.
But since he checked out with 1:21 to go in the 1st, Denver has outscored the Clippers 21-7. – 9:45 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
I really like Davon Reed. Hope he sticks with the Nuggets. – 9:44 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Folks, the Nuggets need to sign Davon Reed to an actual contract so badly. – 9:44 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Score after one. pic.twitter.com/jwMlTU7aw7 – 9:37 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Tressi at the buzzer! 👌 pic.twitter.com/ztFCORhGoW – 9:37 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Nuggets bench led them to an 11-2 run in the last 2:31 of 1st quarter, with Bones Hyland hitting a go-ahead 3 to beat the buzzer and give them a 32-30 lead. – 9:36 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Up after one pic.twitter.com/woJolSfjHb – 9:35 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Denver ends the first quarter with 9 unanswered points to trail just 32-30 to the Clippers.
12 assists on 13 baskets for LAC, with 7 Clippers scoring so far. Boston Jr. leads with 7 points. – 9:34 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Nuggets 32, Clippers 30 | End 1 | Despite shooting 65% (13 for 20) from the field, the Clippers trail. The Nuggets are shooting 11 for 25 and they’re 6 for 16 from deep (Clips just 2 for 6). – 9:34 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Clippers already with 16 points in the paint and 12 assists on 13 made field goals. #Nuggets down 28-23 with 1:21 left in the first and Jokic hasn’t come out yet. – 9:30 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Clippers have 12 assists on 13 makes.
Can you hear Ty? “Just try to play the right way…” – 9:29 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Clippers offense has been phenomenal, even at a snail’s pace.
68.4% FGs, 2/5 3s, 12:2 assist-TO ratio
And Brandon Boston Jr. is about to shoot free throws.
LA up 28-23 with 1:21 left in opening quarter – 9:29 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Even for a player as confident in his scoring as Brandon Boston Jr., it’s no doubt important for him to see the ball go through the net his first two shots (the second on a really nice skip from Mann, after appearing to look off defenders). Since BBJ’s 27-pt game, he’s shot 25%. – 9:28 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Interesting. Zeke Nnaji gets pulled from the rotation in favor of Davon Reed. – 9:27 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Nico flyin’ high!
📺 @BallySportWest | @Nicolas Batum pic.twitter.com/sKETDoqu2c – 9:26 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Wieskamp’s pass to Cacok for the hook gave the Spurs a season-high 38 assists, eclipsing the 37 they posted last week against the Clippers in L.A. – 9:25 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Nikola Jokic working extremely hard to get position in the post, but Clippers throwing everything defensively at him. No matter. Joker already with four assists in eight minutes. Now Denver just needs to shore up its interior defense. – 9:24 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Cut and the MVP will find you 👍 pic.twitter.com/4wMQ5XB14W – 9:20 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Alright, Nuggets start by trading baskets with the Clippers. Rivers has two made threes which is a good sign. Not great that Jokić has just one of the 12 shot attempts though. Feels like a reverse of last game. – 9:20 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Current Clippers shooting chart.
It might as well be #GetToThePaintOrDieTryin like the Mavericks series. The Nuggets allow nearly 70% FGs in the restricted area, dead last in the NBA.
And the Nicolas Batum yyaammm on the MVP was a prime example.
LA up 16-15, 6:34 left in 1stQ pic.twitter.com/NZr2ejzr0L – 9:18 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Clippers 16, Nuggets 15 | 6:34, 1st | Clippers are 8 for 11 (all three of their misses have been 3s). The Nuggets are nearly as good: 6-12 (and 3-7 from 3). Zu leading the way, 3-3 for 6 points — and three of the game’s seven rebounds so far. – 9:18 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
All five Clippers have scored nearing the midpoint of the first quarter, with seven assists on eight buckets. This movement would fall under Ty Lue’s definition of “play the right way,” I believe. – 9:18 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Nuggets, Clippers combine to shoot 12 for 18 at the outset. – 9:15 PM Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Ivica Zubac with an offensive rebound and a bucket on the Clippers’ first possession to open the scoring. Nikola Jokic gets the Nuggets on the board on Denver’s second possession. – 9:13 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Here they come!
📺 @BallySportWest | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/LUEvUb71ow – 9:01 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
About to hoop 😀 pic.twitter.com/b2yTF2f49C – 8:59 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
With the win, the Grizzlies have a four-game lead over Dallas in the division standings.
They have a two-game lead over the Clippers for fourth in the West. – 8:49 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Asked Nuggets head coach Michael Malone a couple of questions pregame.
First was about preparing for a shorthanded Clippers team.
Nuggets just got outscored 14-13 in a 4th quarter by Kelly Oubre Jr., so Malone is focused on his team right now. pic.twitter.com/Oq87ORaTaO – 8:48 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Keldon has 25 points on 9 of 11 from the floor, including 4 of 4 from 3-point range. His season high is 27 (at Denver on Oct. 22) and his career best is 29 points (vs. Houston on Jan. 14, 2021). – 8:40 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Clips-Nuggets at Crypto dot com:
LAC
Terance Mann
Nicolas Batum
Ivica Zubac
Luke Kennard
Eric Bledsoe
DEN
Will Barton
Jeff Green
Nikola Jokić
Austin Rivers
Monte Morris – 8:40 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets starters: Monte Morris, Austin Rivers, Will Barton, Jeff Green, Nikola Jokic
Denver’s not going with Vlatko Cancar in place of Aaron Gordon. Matching up with the Clippers’ small ball lineup instead. – 8:40 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Nuggets will start very small: Monte Morris, Austin Rivers, Will Barton, Jeff Green, Nikola Jokic.
Vlatko Cancar started the last game while Rivers came off the bench. – 8:38 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Nuggets starters: Monte, Austin, Will, Jeff Green, Nikola. – 8:38 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
New group to start tonight!
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/xv8kHBkwrc – 8:37 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine joked at practice the other day his new haircut was going to take him “back to 2016 Zach”
That was the year he bested Aaron Gordon in one of the best dunk contests of all time
pic.twitter.com/u1Y7hagR4K – 8:33 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
The lowdown on tonight’s matchup vs. Denver.
#GetItLocked | @betwayusa – 8:31 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Josh Hart just doing it all. Rebounding. Scoring. Getting steals. He’s up to 19 points and it feels like he may go for 30+ — Pelicans without 3 of their top 4 scorers.
(Hart’s career-high is 30 points for LAL vs LAC 4/11/18) – 8:25 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
We should start tracking which players who are listed as OUT for a specific game would make the best team. For example, tonight’s Nuggets-Clippers game:
Jamal Murray
Reggie Jackson
Kawhi
PG
Aaron Gordon
MPJ
Marcus Morris
Hartenstein
Dozier – 8:23 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Alright, so the Nuggets are without Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, P.J. Dozier, Markus Howard, and Bol Bol tonight.
Morris, Barton, Vlatko, Jeff, and Jokić to start.
Facu, Bones, Rivers, Nnaji, and JaMychal off the bench.
Cornelie in reserve. – 8:23 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
9-7, 8-8, ?-?, ?-?, ?-?
Tonight starts the next part of the season for the Clippers.
It’ll be another departure from the 8-8 split, which I detailed here @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/3033734/2021/1… – 8:18 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Hey, while you’re here…
Smash that RT button to vote #NikolaJokic for #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/oPbLsyjg8r – 8:17 PM Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
As @Paul Jones & I noted on our @fan590 broadcast (Jonesy did the dirty work 🤣)…..I spite of giving up 144 points to the Cavs — and losing by 45 — these #Raptors avoid the history books. Toronto’s worst defeat: 46 (in ’96 vs NY). Most points given up: 152 (’98 vs LAC). #rtz – 8:16 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Marcus Morris Sr. officially testing out of protocols and being on the verge of a return comes at badly needed time for LAC, who start another 5 games in 7 days stretch tonight. In last 4 games Morris played while PG sat, Morris averaged 17.5 pts, 7.3 reb and shot 45.9%/33.3%. – 8:15 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Marcus Morris Sr. is officially out of health and safety protocols. He remains out for tonight designated as return to competition reconditioning. – 8:13 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
With Dejounte Murray in COVID protocols, D White and Tre Jones have combined for 15 of the Spurs’ 22 assists.
The Spurs season high for assists is 37 in last week’s win over the Clippers. – 8:09 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Marcus Morris Sr. has cleared protocols. So he should be back this week. pic.twitter.com/q7scXIsP47 – 8:06 PM Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
The Nuggets announce Aaron Gordon will not play tonight. Guessing Vlatko Cancar starts at SF tonight. – 8:04 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is officially out tonight, #Nuggets say. – 8:03 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Aaron Gordon (left hamstring soreness) is OUT for tonight’s game.
#MileHighBasketball – 8:03 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers 92, Wizards 72 at the end of the third. This is shaping up to be the Sixers’ first blowout win since they pulled away in Denver in mid-November. Embiid with 29 and 10. Harris with 19 and 6. Korkmaz with 12 off the bench. Wizards are just 5-of-22 from deep. – 8:01 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs’ largest leads in last 3 games:
@ LAC +30 points
@ LAL +28 points
vs DET +23 points (in 2Q) – 7:54 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
📍 City of Angels
#ULTRADrip x #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/rTJkZDFHdr – 7:53 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
📍DTLA pic.twitter.com/paGtttUIP2 – 7:53 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Serge Ibaka getting rolling. pic.twitter.com/p115jSg8fL – 7:50 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Michael Malone on Thursday’s loss to Charlotte where Denver blew a 19-point second half lead: “It was a collapse obviously. The blame should really be placed on my shoulders as a head coach.” – 7:49 PM Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Another day, another vote.
🌟 1 RETWEET = 1 VOTE 🌟
@Paul George | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/HkiTyScBqf – 7:45 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Malone calls ex-Nugget Isaiah Hartenstein “a student of the game.” Says he was constantly curious and always asking questions in Denver: “It’s no surprise to me that he’s come (to the Clippers) and had the impact that he’s had…He understands his role. He embraces his role.” – 7:43 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Aaron Gordon is doubtful for tonight Michael Malone says. JaMychal Green is expected to play. – 7:38 PM Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Nuggets coach Michael Malone says JaMychal Green is likely to play tonight vs. the Clippers. Aaron Gordon is closer to doubtful with a hamstring issue. – 7:36 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Michael Malone says that JaMychal Green is still probable, and that Aaron Gordon is now closer to doubtful for tonight at LA. – 7:36 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Michael Malone says Aaron Gordon is doubtful to play tonight. He says JaMychal Green should be good to go. – 7:36 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Malone: JaMychal Green should be available, Aaron Gordon is doubtful. – 7:36 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Tre Mann is out (health and safety protocols).
*sigh* – 7:23 PM Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Thunder guard Tre Mann (health and safety protocols) has been ruled out mid-game. – 7:23 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Tre Mann is out (health and safety protocols) PER Thunder PR – 7:22 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Ty Lue calls Nikola Jokic one of the most unique players in NBA history. – 7:20 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Ty Lue says he’s starting Eric Bledsoe, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, Nicolas Batum and Ivica Zubac tonight. Clippers are without their top-3 scorers, top-4 if you include Kawhi Leonard. This is a must-win for the Nuggets. – 7:19 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Ty Lue says Reggie Jackson is feeling good in health and safety protocols. He also says Marcus Morris Sr., also in protocols, will be back soon. No timetable for Isaiah Hartenstein’s return. – 7:19 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Kawhi Leonard is “doing good” with his rehab from knee surgery, Ty Lue said. He said he hasn’t been observing his rehab closely because he doesn’t want to get too excited. – 7:19 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
“One of the most unique players in NBA history.” Ty Lue on Nikola Jokic. – 7:18 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Ty Lue says Kawhi Leonard “is doing good” when asked how his progress is. He says he hasn’t been watching Leonard work out too much because he doesn’t “want to get too excited.” – 7:18 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
“He’s doing good,” Ty on how Kawhi is doing. “Haven’t been looking … don’t wanna get too excited.” – 7:17 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Ty Lue says Reggie “feels good, no symptoms” and that Morris should “be back soon.” No timetable for Isaiah Hartenstein’s return from a sprained ankle. – 7:17 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Bledsoe, Kennard, Mann, Batum, Zubac will start tonight, as expected.
That’s the same starting lineup as the preseason finale against the Timberwolves at Ontario, the site of the G League squad. – 7:16 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Ty Lue says Bledsoe, Kennard, Mann, Batum and Zubac are starting vs Nuggets. – 7:15 PM Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Temping in the NBA. Moses Wright warms up… pic.twitter.com/lhNkR3zZeq – 7:06 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
As difficult as it’s been for the Nuggets lately with injuries, it will never hold a candle to how embarrassingly subpar the Broncos have been for years after Peyton Manning retired. – 6:58 PM Ian Begley @IanBegley
Kevin Durant is among Nets who have been ruled out for Nets-Clippers: pic.twitter.com/2mfosfRhQc – 6:51 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
No Kevin Durant for the Nets tomorrow against the Clippers. pic.twitter.com/Vd9HaNZvlz – 6:51 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Nets still have seven players out in the H&S protocols for tomorrow at the Clippers:
L. Aldridge
D. Duke Jr.
K. Durant
K. Edwards
K. Irving
D. Sharpe
C. Thomas
J. Harris remains out as well, due to ankle surgery. – 6:49 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Brooklyn Nets say Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and LaMarcus Aldridge are still among the players out for tomorrows game vs the Clippers due to health and safety protocols – 6:49 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
The Nets’ status report for tomorrow’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers: pic.twitter.com/GE9srgdV3P – 6:49 PM Jamal Murray @BeMore27
#NikolaJokic #NBAAllStar – 6:02 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Over/Under 13 rebounds for Nikola tonight?
Sign up with @PointsBetUSA to receive a 100% deposit match up to $250: bit.ly/3Eo2dNa
#MileHighBasketball – 5:56 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Dolphins will move into 7th spot and control their own destiny if KC holds this 23-0 lead over Pittsburgh and if Dolphins beat Saints, regardless of Vegas/Denver result. As we noted Tuesday, Dolphins win tiebreaker with Chargers based on superior record against common opponent. – 5:38 PM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
📅 On this day in 2011, Kawhi Leonard had six points and six rebounds in his NBA debut with the @San Antonio Spurs.
Leonard and Hakeem Olajwuon are the only players in NBA history to win multiple DPOY and Finals MVP awards. pic.twitter.com/sGxcv8nJ5U – 4:01 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Have you voted today?
You can take care of that by retweeting this!
#NikolaJokic #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/35S86vpDei – 4:00 PM