Clippers survive Nikola Jokic’s triple-double to edge Nuggets
Paul George scores 28 points, James Harden adds 20 and the Clippers shake off a slow start for a 102-100 win despite the absence of Kawhi Leonard (knee) and a big night from Jokic (36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists)
Clippers star Paul George, left, and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic chase after a loose ball during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. George had 28 points as the Clippers survived a 36-point triple-double by Jokic and held on for a 102-100 win. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, center, shoots as Clippers forward Paul George, left, and center Ivica Zubac defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, below, and Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. grapple for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac looks to pass the ball in front of the Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) and Aaron Gordon (50) during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, upper left, celebrates after dunking as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., lower left, and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey shoots after he was fouled by the Denver Nuggets’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, left, during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson, below, tries to shoot as Clippers guard Terance Mann defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket as the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, and forward Michael Porter Jr. defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, shoots as Clippers star Paul George defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, second from left, shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Justin Holiday, left, guard Reggie Jackson, second from left, and forward Michael Porter Jr. defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, passes as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden drives around a screen set by teammate Mason Plumlee on Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue reacts after a timeout during the first half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell scores on a layup past the Denver Nuggets’ Reggie Jackson (7) and DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, drives as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket as the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, celebrates after dunking as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Reggie Jackson defend during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell looks to pass the ball in front of the Denver Nuggets’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5), Michael Porter Jr. (1) and Christian Braun (0) during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden attempts a shot between the Denver Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon, left, and Michael Porter Jr. during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, tries to shoot as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook fouls him during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores in front of the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun, left, and Nikola Jokic, right, during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts as he is fouled by Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, center, reacts as he is fouled by Clippers center Mason Plumlee, right, during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reacts to his dunk in front of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Peyton Watson during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, second from left, celebrates after dunking as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, left, looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, celebrates his dunk with Amir Coffey during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, center, celebrates his dunk between teammates Norman Powell, left, and Amir Coffey during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson attempts a shot in front of Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, center, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, center, celebrates with center Ivica Zubac, left, after scoring as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts to getting a foul called against him during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, right, yells at referees as he receives a technical foul while Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Clippers Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers star Paul George, left, and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic chase after a loose ball during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. George had 28 points as the Clippers survived a 36-point triple-double by Jokic and held on for a 102-100 win. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic drives to the basket as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac grabs a rebound in front of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic attempts a shot as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts to a Nuggets basket during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic drives to the basket between the Clippers’ James Harden, right, and P.J. Tucker during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts as he is fouled by Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers forward P.J. Tucker, right, reaches for a loose ball next to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope celebrates after making a 3-point shot in front of the Clippers’ bench during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts as he shoots over the hands of Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, reacts as Clippers star Paul George reaches in from behind during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., second from left, rubs his head as he walks back to the bench during a timeout while Clippers star Paul George, left, guard Russell Westbrook, second from left, and Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue stand in the background during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun scores between Clippers stars Russell Westbrook, right, and Paul George, left, during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, middle, reacts on the bench next to head coach Michael Malone, left, during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers star Paul George, left, reacts to a foul as he is consoled by James Harden during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson drives to the basket as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook grabs a rebound in front of the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope argues a call with referee Aaron Smith during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts to a Nuggets foul during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun drives to the basket as Clippers guard Terance Mann defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts as he is trapped by Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, and guard James Harden during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, argues a call with referee Josh Tiven during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, shoots and misses a last-second 3-point shot as Clippers forward P.J. Tucker, left, defends and forward Paul George watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 102-100. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann looks to shoot as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — James Harden had just scored six consecutive points and went for another basket, but his pull-up jumper rimmed out late in the first half of Thursday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Harden shook his head.
He wanted more. He wanted to keep that feeling going.
And he did, scoring 20 points for the first time in more than a month, ending a string of single-digit games, poor shooting percentages and weeks of frustration, helping the Clippers hold off the defending NBA champions, 102-100, at Crytpo.com Arena.
“It’s like things in life. If you don’t do it, you don’t use it, it isn’t used as often as it should, then you, not forget about it,” said Harden, who had six rebounds and eight assists to go along with his points.
Harden, considered one of the best scorers of this generation, had scored in single digits in his past two games, shooting 1 for 7 on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings, who consistently blitzed the three-time league scoring champion.
The Nuggets didn’t employ the same tactic and Harden was able to shake free in the open court. He made just 6 of his 23 attempts (2 of 13 from 3-point range).
“I didn’t make shots, but it still felt good,” Harden said. “In my mind, I still got a scorer’s mentality so when I take 13 3s and if four more go in, that’s a killer game. So, shots don’t go in, but most of them were really good shots.”
With Harden working his way back into the box score, Paul George posting a team-high 28 points and Russell Westbrook providing his normal spark off the bench, the Clippers were able to pull out the close victory and leave Coach Tyronn Lue pleased with their effort.
“I just thought our rotation, our bench really came in and changed the game for us,” Lue said. “We got down early. I liked the physicality they came in with, the energy just playing on both sides, the energy they brought was good for us.
“So, you beat a good team like Denver and you shoot 37% from the field, 24% from three, they got the MVP over there and you fight and claw, you can take a win or a loss in this game because we competed, we played hard, we scrapped.”
The Clippers, playing without Kawhi Leonard, struggled to contain the Nuggets and fell behind by 17 points in the first half.
But behind a solid defensive effort in the second half and playing with the kind of energy not seen lately in Crypto.com Arena they were able to overcome a 36-point triple-double from Nuggets center Nikola Jokic to end a five-game home losing streak.
But it wasn’t easy.
After Jokic hit a 3-pointer to get Denver within 102-100 with 1:46 left in the game, Clippers center Ivica Zubac missed a layup. The Clippers got the ball back when Aaron Gordon lost the ball out of bounds with 33.1 seconds remaining, giving them a shot at padding their lead.
Harden’s final 3-point attempt, however, was short, giving the ball back to the Nuggets with five seconds left. Jokic then threw up a last-second 3-point shot from half court that missed as time expired.
The Nuggets began to chip away at an 11-point third-quarter deficit, eventually pulling to within two 94-92 on a 3-pointer by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 3:51 left to play. Denver further closed the gap to 98-97 on free throws by Jokic with 1:46 left.
But the Nuggets (53-24) couldn’t complete the comeback.
Leonard missed his second consecutive game and eighth this season, because of right knee soreness and his status for Friday’s game against the Utah Jazz was yet to be determined.
Sitting Leonard, who had surgery on the knee in 2021, could be a precautionary move considering Thursday’s game was the start of a five-in-seven run. The All-Star wing has played 68 games this season, the most he’s played since his 2016-17 All-Star season,
While the Clippers missed Leonard’s team-leading 23.7 points per game in Tuesday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings, Thursday was a different story.
They had four players in double figures, led by George, who had four rebounds to go along with his points, and Harden. Westbrook added 12 points and six assists, while Zubac had 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Norman Powell added 11 points.
“All in all, it was a good win for us,” Harden said. “The first quarter we got down and didn’t panic and the second quarter we made some shots. Defensively, we locked in.”
Lue pointed to the team’s energy and aggressiveness from Westbrook for the unlikely victory.
“Attacking the basket, getting to the free-throw line, defensively, got a couple of deflections, steals and just bringing that energy off the bench,” Lue said. “We need him to play that way. That’s how we need him to play. Having that energy, attack mindset in transition and in the halfcourt that gets us into our sets and run what we run.
“I thought he did a great job tonight of really coming off the bench and setting the tone and give us that edge we needed.”
Denver is a team the Clippers have had trouble with, having lost two of the first three meetings this season. And that certainly was the case early as the Clippers failed to find an offensive groove in the first 12 minutes.
Whatever Lue told them between quarters seemed to shake them out of their malaise as Powell, Westbrook and Amir Coffey got the Clippers back into the game with a 8-0 run to pull within 31-30 with 9:53 left in the first half.
The Clippers’ bench outscored the Nuggets’ bench 21-0 in the first half and 34-9 for the game.
Then Harden got hot, ending the hand-wringing about his recent lack of scoring. He buried a 3-pointer and then scored a 3-point play to give the Clippers a 40-37 lead.
In between two 3-pointers and a layup by Jokic, Harden added a 10-foot jumper, three foul shots after being fouled on a 3-point attempt that pushed the Clippers ahead at 48-46 with one minute left before halftime. Harden added a 3-pointer and George two free throws to close out the half ahead, 53-49.
Harden had 14 of his points in the first half.
The Nuggets, having already clinched a playoff spot, were led by Jokic, who had his 24th triple-double of the season, posting 36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Aaron Gordon added 18 points.
“Kawhi didn’t play but they have multiple guys who can defend multiple positions. That’s why they’re so good,” Jokic said.
The Nuggets, who had won two in a row and six of eight, were without star guard Jamal Murray, who sat out the game because of inflammation in his right knee, but Denver had plenty of others who picked up the slack.
But the Nuggets had to finish the game without Coach Michael Malone, who got ejected with 7:54 left after walking on the court to argue with the officials, drawing two technical fouls.
