Nikola Jokic’s big effort helps Nuggets hold off Clippers
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball against Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on December 26, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP
Nikola Jokic had 26 points, matched his career best of 22 rebounds and also contributed eight assists as the visiting Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 103-100 on Sunday night.
Will Barton scored 17, Davon Reed added 15 points and Austin Rivers and Monte Morris had 12 apiece for Denver.
Eric Bledsoe had 18 points and a season-high 10 assists, Brandon Boston Jr. also scored 18 points and Ivica Zubac recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers.
Terance Mann had 11 points and eight assists and Serge Ibaka scored 10 for the Clippers.
The reigning #KiaMVP Nikola Jokic puts up a HUGE double-double to power the @nuggets to the win 🃏
26 PTS | 22 REB | 8 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/I83er5mfpQ
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2021
The Nuggets missed their first two shots of the fourth and fell behind 86-79 before Rivers drained a 3-pointer to end the drought. Los Angeles increased its lead to 91-82 on Amir Coffey’s 3-pointer with 9:04 remaining but Denver found its offense.
Barton had a three-point play and a 12-foot jumper and Reed and Jokic hit buckets in an 11-2 run that tied it.
Zubac split a pair of free throws, Jokic drained a 3-pointer to put the Nuggets ahead 96-94 with 3:50 to play. Barton made a layup after a miss at the other end and Rivers’ second 3-pointer of the period made it 101-95 with 1:53 left.
A Denver turnover led to a 3-pointer from Luke Kennard to make it 101-100 with 19.7 seconds left. Jokic hit two free throws with 12.7 left and Boston missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer.
Denver led by two after the first quarter but the Nuggets built a lead in the second. Reed hit a 16-footer and a 3-pointer and Bones Hyland made two layups in a 9-0 run that gave Denver a 46-35 lead. The Clippers got within six on Bledsoe’s three-point play but Barton’s five points put the Nuggets ahead 64-55 at halftime.
Denver continued to add to the lead to start the third quarter, going up 74-57 with 7:45 left but Los Angeles rallied.
Down 79-66, the Clippers scored 17 straight points while the Nuggets went cold for the final 5:34 of the period. They missed their final 12 shots and ended the quarter with two straight turnovers. Los Angeles outscored Denver 28-15 in the period.
