In a thrilling matchup on Sunday night, James Harden led the Los Angeles Clippers to a narrow victory over the Denver Nuggets, scoring 39 points and successfully hitting all 13 of his free throws. Despite Nikola Jokic’s impressive performance, finishing with a triple-double comprising 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, the Nuggets fell short with a final score of 126-122.
Harden nearly achieved a triple-double himself, contributing nine rebounds and 11 assists to his team’s success. Norman Powell made a significant impact in his return from injury, adding 28 points to help the Clippers secure the win. Notably, Harden made three three-pointers in the first half, marking an impressive milestone with his career total reaching 3,000.
The Clippers gained momentum early in the fourth quarter, transforming a close game into a seven-point lead thanks to three back-to-back three-pointers. However, the Nuggets responded with Jokic hitting a three-pointer and assisting Aaron Gordon for a dunk, narrowing the gap to just one point. As the game progressed, the Nuggets missed crucial opportunities, including Jokic’s free-throw miss with mere seconds left on the clock.
The Clippers’ strong performance from beyond the arc was a key factor, as they made 17 three-pointers compared to the Nuggets’ 21 attempts. Despite their challenges, the Clippers maintained composure down the stretch, successfully converting 8 of 9 free throws.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will gear up to host the Golden State Warriors, while the Clippers will prepare to take on the Portland Trail Blazers in upcoming NBA Cup games on Tuesday.
Overall, this game showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, building excitement as they head into their next matchups. Fans can look forward to continued high-level performances as the season progresses.