The Denver Nuggets fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 111-102 on Wednesday, despite having key players Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon back in the lineup. This loss comes just nine days after the Nuggets managed to beat the Clippers without these players.
Jokic, usually a reliable force for the Nuggets, struggled in this game, missing more shots than he ever had in a single NBA game. Despite this, he still managed to register his ninth triple-double of the season.
Michael Porter Jr. continues to show promising early rhythms in scoring, but has struggled to maintain his high level of play throughout games. His consistency will be crucial for the Nuggets in future games.
On a positive note, Jamal Murray returned to the lineup after missing numerous games due to injury, accumulating 23 points and six assists. This marks the first game since November 4 that the Nuggets’ full starting five played together.
The historic significance of this game lies in the contrast between the Nuggets’ previous victory over the Clippers without key players and their loss with a healthy lineup. The team will look to regroup and bounce back as they host the Rockets on Friday in another rescheduled game for teams eliminated from the in-season tournament.
