Russell Westbrook came up big when it mattered most, helping the Denver Nuggets hold off his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, in a 112-110 overtime thriller on Saturday.
After a week filled with off-court drama — including the surprising firings of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just before the playoffs — Westbrook delivered a clutch performance that silenced doubts. Late in regulation, he buried a wide-open corner three to give Denver a two-point edge, then sealed the win in overtime by deflecting an inbounds pass off James Harden with just under 10 seconds left.
“I know that play,” Westbrook said, referring to his familiarity with the Clippers’ sets after spending the past two seasons with them.
Nikola Jokic praised the veteran guard: “That’s who he is.” Westbrook also played a key role in disrupting the Clippers’ offense, which coughed up 20 turnovers—seven of them by Kawhi Leonard, who is typically rock-solid with the ball.
Interim head coach David Adelman, now 4-0 at the helm, lauded Westbrook’s defensive intensity. “Russ was like a free safety out there,” Adelman said. “Even when he wasn’t the one directly forcing a turnover, his presence was causing havoc.”
On the offensive end, Westbrook was aggressive, as always. “That’s what he does,” Adelman continued. “Sees a guy one-on-one and he’s going to attack. Then he hit a huge three.”
Jokic led Denver with 29 points and was one rebound short of a triple-double. Aaron Gordon contributed 25 points, and Jamal Murray added 21 as the Nuggets overcame a 15-point first-half deficit to take Game 1 of the series.
The Clippers, red-hot heading into the postseason after winning 18 of their last 21 games—including the final eight—were handed their first loss since March 30.
“If you turn the ball over 20 times against the No. 1 transition team in the league, you’re going to lose,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.
Harden led L.A. with 32 points, while Leonard and Ivica Zubac added 22 and 21, respectively. Leonard didn’t seem too shaken after the loss. “It’s just Game 1,” he said. “Denver’s a tough team, especially at home. We’ve got Game 2.”
That game is set for Monday night at Ball Arena.
Adelman noted that Denver’s momentum started late in the second quarter, when the Nuggets closed on a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 53-49 at halftime.
“It felt like one of those games where you’re just climbing a hill,” he said.
Despite shooting just 5-of-17 from the field, Westbrook emphasized that the playoffs are all about results.
“People focus so much on missed shots,” he said. “But in the playoffs, it’s about winning. Doesn’t matter how many you miss or make. You’ve just got to make the right plays — on both ends.”
And on Saturday night, he did just that.