Jamal Murray returned from a hamstring injury to score 20 points, and Michael Porter Jr. added 17 as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 120-98 on Friday, winning consecutive games for the first time in a month.
Nikola Jokic contributed 16 points, while Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson each scored 14. Jokic, who had scored a combined 104 points in the previous two games without Murray, allowed others to take charge and matched his lowest scoring game of the season.
This game was the second of three scheduled matchups between the teams in Denver, added after NBA Cup group play concluded.
Kevin Porter Jr. and Norman Powell both scored 16 points for the Clippers, who lost their third straight game, tying their season-high streak. James Harden finished with 15 points, and Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard, who returned to practice this week after a knee injury, is still not ready for his season debut.
The Clippers led 55-50 early in the second half, but the Nuggets quickly reclaimed the lead at 59-58 less than five minutes into the third quarter. Denver then went on a 14-2 run to build a 73-60 lead.
The Nuggets extended their advantage to 83-69 heading into the final quarter, with Michael Porter scoring 12 points in the third, while the team shot 57.9 percent.
Denver pushed their lead to 20 points at 98-78 with 7:44 left after Watson’s two free throws and maintained control of the game from there.
Despite a slow start, the Clippers went on an 18-0 run in the second quarter to take a 44-38 lead. However, the Nuggets regained the lead at 48-47 by halftime, with Jokic and Gordon each contributing nine points and five rebounds.
Russell Westbrook, playing against his former team for the third time this season, had five points and five assists in 24 minutes off the bench for Denver.
