NBA: Clippers Crush Nuggets in Game 3 Blowout During Playoffs

The Los Angeles Clippers stunned the Denver Nuggets with a dominant 117-83 win in Game 3 of their playoff series. This win brings them to a 2-1 lead and sends a message that they’re serious contenders in the NBA. After two closely contested games, fans expected another nail-biter. Instead, they witnessed a one-sided affair at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The game started with high energy, and the Clippers wasted no time taking control. They dropped nine three-pointers in the first quarter alone, racing to a 35-28 lead. The Nuggets struggled to keep up and never recovered. By halftime, the score was 65-47 in favor of the Clippers. Denver never found a rhythm, and things got worse in the fourth quarter when they managed only 13 points.

Nikola Jokić may have posted a triple-double—23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists—but he was clearly running on fumes. After logging 46 minutes in Game 1 and playing the entire second half of Game 2, fatigue seemed to catch up with him. His impact was minimal, and his frustration was evident. Interim coach David Adelman didn’t mince words, saying, “It doesn’t matter what your adjustments are if you’re not going to meet the challenge… We got embarrassed today, but the bottom line is it’s just one game.”

One of the biggest surprises of the night came from Ivica Zubac. He not only held his own against Jokić but arguably outplayed him. Zubac finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and 8 out of 12 from the field. Suppose you think the guy is winning those battles and the difference is just a few points, the advantage shifts. That’s precisely what happened—advantage Zubac, advantage Clippers.

James Harden played the role of floor general to perfection, scoring 20 points and dishing out nine assists. Kawhi Leonard added 21 points and 11 rebounds, continuing his playoff brilliance. Norman Powell chipped in 20 points, including 12 in a red-hot third quarter. The Clippers’ recent form has been incredible. Currently, they’ve won 20 of their last 24 games. Harden praised the group chemistry, saying, “This is probably one of the coolest teams because everyone understands who everyone is… When you think about an NBA team, this is what you envision.”

While the stars shone, not everything went perfectly for the Clippers. Russell Westbrook returned to the floor but was not 100%. Dealing with left foot inflammation, he played just nine minutes and missed all five attempts from beyond the arc. His availability moving forward is in question and could affect the Clippers’ bench depth.

The Intuit Dome also played a significant role in this victory. In their first playoff game at the new venue, Clippers fans packed the house and created a raucous atmosphere. Harden said, “It was just how we expected it to be,” while head coach Tyronn Lue added, “Our fans were unbelievable tonight… To be able to play our first playoff game at Intuit Dome, it was very exciting. They showed up and showed out.” Creative touches like fans wearing horse hats added some fun to the intense environment.

The Clippers shot 48.2% from the field as a team and drained 18 of 39 shots from three-point range. They also dominated the glass with a 48-38 rebounding edge. Meanwhile, the Nuggets couldn’t buy a bucket, shooting 40.3% from the field and only 7 of 26 from deep. The contrast in efficiency and energy was clear from the opening tip.

After the game, Lue ensured his team stayed focused: “We got to build off of this… It’s only two (victories). Today, I liked our approach, and I like what we did defensively. It’s still going to be a tough series. It’s not over because we had a blowout. It’s only one (game). So we have to be ready to come out on Saturday.”

Harden echoed the sentiment: “We got a contribution from everybody… Everybody made shots, we played as a team.”

Adelman, meanwhile, was blunt in his assessment of Denver’s performance: “We got what we deserved… We’ll reassess tonight, watch the film… Bottom line: This was not good enough. This was not our standard in any way.”

Since the Game 3 is finally over, Game 4 of the Clippers vs Nuggets showdown will take place Saturday back at Intuit Dome. The pressure is on Denver to even the series, while the Clippers will look to ride their momentum and take a commanding 3-1 lead.