Clippers Capitalize on Denver's Weak Start and Finish Strong, Winning 109-104
In a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Denver Nuggets faltered early and ran out of gas late, ultimately falling 109-104. The Nuggets stumbled out of the gate, struggling offensively and defensively in the first quarter, and couldn't regain enough momentum despite a strong individual performance from Nikola Jokic. Shooting below 30% in the opening half and allowing a whopping 39 points in the first quarter, the Nuggets faced an uphill battle. Although Jokic delivered an impressive 41 points with 9 rebounds, his efforts couldn’t offset the team's early deficits, and a missed three-point attempt in the final seconds marked the game's conclusion.
Jokic received solid support from Jamal Murray, who contributed 22 points and five assists, but Murray’s defense in the closing quarter allowed Clippers’ Norman Powell to rack up a season-high 37 points. Powell's efficient scoring proved too much for Denver to handle, as James Harden also contributed significantly with 23 points, 16 assists, and key plays down the stretch, while Ivica Zubac added 24 points and 15 rebounds to the Clippers' tally. The Nuggets’ bench was notably quiet, making this game a showcase of the starters, yet Denver's primary lineup couldn't overcome the struggles that defined their start and end.
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Denver’s scoring kicked off with Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, yet the Clippers managed to go on a 7-0 run early, leaving Denver trailing throughout the first half. An 18-point gap seemed insurmountable until Jokic and Murray hit back-to-back threes, briefly narrowing the Clippers’ lead to single digits. However, defensive lapses and missed opportunities persisted, keeping Denver on the back foot. Despite several comeback attempts, including standout plays from Christian Braun, who hit crucial threes and made aggressive defensive stops, Denver trailed at halftime, down 48-42.
The Nuggets gained some momentum in the third quarter with Jokic and Braun leading the charge, bringing the team close to tying the game. They managed to snag a one-point lead after some clutch plays, including Braun’s free throws and defensive intensity. But as the final quarter wound down, the Clippers’ offense, spearheaded by Powell and Harden, found ways to exploit Denver’s tired defense and retake control. A series of close plays followed, with Jokic briefly giving Denver a one-point lead after sinking his seventh three-pointer, a career high, but the Clippers stayed resilient, hitting key shots and drawing fouls.
Denver's overall lack of defensive intensity and questionable conditioning played a large role in their inability to hold the lead or recover effectively. Coach Michael Malone had previously highlighted conditioning as an area of focus, yet the Nuggets' energy faded at altitude, a setting that should typically give them an advantage. The team’s key players were clearly feeling the fatigue, and this was particularly evident in their inability to contain Powell’s hot hand or Harden’s aggressive drives to the basket in crunch time.
As the game wound down, Jokic’s missed free throw and three-point attempt became the final, fateful plays that sealed the Nuggets' defeat. While Denver’s offense showed flashes of brilliance, especially from Jokic and Murray, the lack of cohesion and intensity cost them their home opener. Starting the season 0-2 with back-to-back losses at Ball Arena has put early pressure on the Nuggets to adapt, develop, and align on both ends of the court. In order to succeed this season, they’ll need to prioritize the energy and effort that championship contention demands and avoid these early pitfalls in the future.
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