DENVER- – — The Clippers just didn’t have it as they were routed 126-103 by the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Former Clippers Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets in the rout with 19 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Jamal Murray added 21 points and 9 assists.
The Clippers were no match for the energy and effort the Nuggets brought into the game last night from the jump.
Denver took control early with a 20-3 run in the first quarter and led 55-30 late in the second quarter before Los Angeles cut the lead to 16 right before the half.
Another spurt in the third quarter fill out the game away.
The Clippers never held a lead in this game. The only positive for Los Angeles was the play of guard Norman Powell, who scored 30 points to lead the team. James Harden chipped in 16 points and Ivica Zubac added 10.
The two team split their regular season games.
Los Angeles was without star forward Kawhi Leonard as he returned to Los Angeles to be with his family while the city deals with wildfires.
All that was going on back at home was clearly on the team’s mind during the game.
“It looked heavy. I’m not sure what the guys are going through. We didn’t have the pop, we didn’t have the physicality, we didn’t have the fight that we’ve been having,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. ” So, we knew this team was going to come out and play hard, we told you before the game.We weren’t ready from the start.
Los Angeles has now loss four of their last five games.
The Clippers, who are now 20-17 will look to end their two game skid back at home on Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets.
