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LOS ANGELES—The opening two games of the first-round series were thrilling and intense, leading many to believe that the matchup between the Clippers and the Nuggets would outshine all others in the playoffs.
However, the conversation shifted dramatically on Thursday, possibly in a … lasting way.
While it can be misleading to judge a series on just one game, the latest clash between these teams was an unexpected blowout. The first two games were closely contested, with margins of only five points. In stark contrast, Game 3 ended with a staggering 34-point difference, making it clear from the start who was in control.
The Clippers excelled in nearly every facet of the game, combining effective scoring with defensive stops to hand the Nuggets a significant defeat. The extent of the damage will be gauged this Saturday (6 ET, TNT) as the Nuggets seek to bounce back.
“Your adjustments don’t matter if you can’t rise to the occasion,” remarked Nuggets interim coach David Adelman. “We faced embarrassment today, but ultimately, it’s just one game.”
Here are five insights from the Clippers’ 117-83 triumph and the current state of the series, now favoring LA 2-1:
Nikola Jokić has put forth an outstanding season, arguably the best ever for a three-time Kia MVP, which places him in the running for a fourth award. However, his exceptional efforts might not be sufficient to salvage the Nuggets’ season.
The uncertainty lingers. Nonetheless, two glaring issues are apparent: his teammates are not matching his level, and Jokić may be nearing the limits of his endurance.
He recorded what could be considered the most inconsequential triple-double of his career: 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, which hardly stands out in a 34-point loss. His influence was minimal as the Nuggets were largely occupied trying to recover from a significant deficit.
Having played 46 minutes in Game 1 and the entire second half of Game 2, every time he rested on Thursday, the Clippers capitalized on his absence—a familiar pattern observed with many of the Nuggets’ rivals.
It’s been a lengthy season for Jokić, and during a second-half timeout, he exhibited visible frustration while huddled with teammates. The accumulated minutes and tensions are clearly weighing on him.
Considered the top player in the league, Jokić is poised to either win or finish second in the MVP voting. Yet, there were fleeting moments on Thursday when he wasn’t the standout center on the court.
That’s notable praise for Ivica Zubac, one of three finalists for the Kia Most Improved Player award. He has evolved beyond merely being a screen-and-roll player, now being actively involved in various plays, and surprisingly, he’s delivering.
On Thursday, Zubac drew a double-team from Denver and successfully converted 8 of 12 shot attempts. Furthermore, the fact that Zubac outperformed Jokić in points and rebounds—by four each—favors Zubac and the Clippers.
The Clippers surged to a 35-28 lead at the end of the first quarter, hitting 9 three-pointers and putting early pressure on the Nuggets.
While they face competition from the Boston Celtics and potentially the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Clippers are clearly peaking at the right moment, showing no signs of slowing down.
Part of their success is attributed to their battle-hardened experience in the competitive Western Conference, where they fought to avoid the SoFi Play-In Tournament.
With several teams closely bunched together in the final month of the season, everyone was cautious of losing streaks. The Clippers asserted their dominance by winning 18 out of their last 21 games, resulting in 20 wins across 24 games overall in the playoffs.
Their sole losses came at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans, the top-seed Thunder (by two points), the East-leading Cavaliers (by five), and the Nuggets. They are at their best when it matters most.
This success has been bolstered by a healthy and dynamic Kawhi Leonard, who scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Game 3. James Harden also played a pivotal role, scoring all 20 of his points in the first half, setting the mood and keeping the Nuggets off-balance.
Kris Dunn’s defense has proved beneficial in this series, while Norman Powell has bounced back from a midseason injury to contribute 20 points in Game 3.
“This team is fantastic because we all know our roles,” Harden commented. “This is what you envision when you think of an NBA team.”
Coach Ty Lue’s leadership has been crucial in keeping the squad motivated and energized. While the Clippers may not currently be the best team in the league, sometimes the hottest team can exceed expectations in playoffs. They are acutely aware that complacency, either with their performance or in underestimating the Nuggets, is not an option.
“We must begin preparing for Game 4 immediately,” Harden stated. “We understand the challenge ahead.”
Harden, who played his previous two seasons with the Clippers and is now performing in a new arena just a short distance from his roots, knows that not all narratives unfold as hoped—just ask Russell Westbrook.
The Clippers had little use for Westbrook, who signed with the Nuggets last summer.
Unfortunately for him, any chance of redemption in his homecoming was cut short.
During warmups, he injured his left foot while participating in a drill at half-speed and, although he checked into the game, his night concluded after just nine minutes due to left foot inflammation.
It’s been a challenging season for Westbrook, whose performances have ranged from spectacular to forgettable depending on the last shot taken. With a sore foot hindering his agility during Game 3, Westbrook opted for jump shots, attempting five shots (all three-pointers) and missing four as the Clippers consistently left him unguarded.
His ability to contribute remains a significant concern for the Nuggets, particularly given the issues with their bench. This lack of depth was a factor in the dismissal of Calvin Booth as general manager just weeks prior—his failure to enhance the bench was noted.
In search of a revival for his career, Westbrook joined the Nuggets last summer on a low-cost, desperate deal. Unless he recovers quickly and the Nuggets can even the series, his tenure in Denver might be nearing its end.
The Clippers held their inaugural playoff game at their impressive new billion-dollar arena, and there were indications that the Intuit Dome could serve as a legitimate home-court advantage—an advantage the Clippers desperately need.
“It was just as we anticipated,” Harden remarked.
Celebrity attendees occupied the prime seats alongside enthusiastic fans in the famous “Wall” section, positioned behind the opponent’s basket to create a lively distraction.
Some fans in the Wall sported horse hats, humorously recognizing Jokić’s love for horses in hopes of distracting him during free throws (though it didn’t work). More importantly, they fostered the college-like atmosphere that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer envisioned upon constructing the arena.
“Our fans were phenomenal tonight,” Lue commented. “Experiencing our first playoff game at the Intuit Dome was electrifying, and they really showed up for us.”
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Shaun Powell has reported on the NBA for over 25 years. For inquiries, you can email him here, find his archive here, and follow him on X.
The perspectives expressed on this page don’t necessarily represent those of the NBA, its franchises, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
