The Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets wrap up their four-game regular-season series. The Nuggets look to sweep the Clippers for the first time since the 2008-09 season, so let’s take a closer look.
Clippers – Nuggets injury update: 3 Questionable, 1 Out
The Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers (33-29, 31-31 ATS) lost to the Sacramento Kings in double overtime in their first game after the All-Star break. The score was 176-175. It was the second-most points ever scored in an NBA game, and both teams shot great.
Kawhi Leonard beat the Kings by 44 points. Paul George scored 34 points, grabbed ten rebounds, and gave out five assists. Off the bench, Norman Powell scored 24 points. Russell Westbrook’s first game with the Clippers was good. He ended the game with 17 points, 14 assists, and 7 turnovers.
Leonard’s 44 points are a new season high, and he finished just one point short of his career high. But he’s been heading in this direction for a while, with some really good play before the All-Star break.
Even though the game in Denver on Sunday is not the second in a row, Leonard could use a break after playing for 46 minutes.
Sunday will be the fourth and final time the Clippers and Nuggets play each other during the regular season. It will also be the last time Los Angeles has to beat the best team in the Western Conference.
Injury reports: Ivica Zubac (Calf) – Out
The Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets will be playing their second game in a row, but the Los Angeles Clippers might feel more tired, even though they had a day off on Saturday.
That’s because Los Angeles lost to the Kings in a game that had the second-most points in NBA history (176-175) on Friday night. Sacramento beat the Clippers in the end, but it took two overtimes. The Clippers will now play in Denver on Sunday night.
The Nuggets lost 112-94 at Memphis on Saturday night, ending their four-game winning streak. The game wasn’t close for most of the night.
Even though they have had some injuries, the Nuggets have kept winning. Jamal Murray missed six games because of pain and swelling in his right knee. He came back on Thursday at Cleveland. In the loss to the Grizzlies, he had eight points in 25 minutes.
Jokic had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes of Saturday’s 112-94 loss to the Grizzlies. He made 7 of 11 shots from the field and 1 of 1 free throws.
Jokic didn’t play as well as he usually does, but he still had a double-double and led the offense in a game where the Nuggets had a lot of trouble scoring.
The two-time MVP winner has been great this month. In nine games, he has had six triple-doubles and three double-doubles.
We hope that when he comes back tonight, he will be dangerous to Leonard and George.
Aaron Gordon’s health is a worry for the city of Denver. He hasn’t played in five straight games because of an injury to his left rib, and he probably won’t play against the Clippers either.
After Saturday night’s loss, coach Michael Malone said that there is no set date for his return. Malone said that he would talk to the team’s trainers on Sunday to find out if Gordon would be able to play.
Injury reports:
- Collin Gillespie (Lower Leg) – Questionable
- Zeke Nnaji (Shoulder) – Questionable
- Aaron Gordon (Ribs) – Questionable
