NBA Preseason: Kawhi Scores 17, Harden with 11 Assists, Jokic Posts 12+9+6 as Nuggets Defeat Clippers

On October 13th Beijing time, the NBA preseason went on with the Clippers falling 94-102 at home against the Nuggets. Harden had a poor shooting night, making just 1 of 6 shots, tallying 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists. Leonard played only the first half, scoring 17 points. The Clippers held a two-point lead at halftime, and the second half was tightly contested, but the Nuggets secured the win. Jokic contributed 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Gordon led the Nuggets with 18 points.

Statistics

Nuggets: Gordon 18 points 7 rebounds, Jokic 12 points 9 rebounds 6 assists, Braun 11 points 3 assists, Johnson 8 points 3 steals, Murray 7 points 3 assists, Jones 11 points, Valanciunas 10 points 9 rebounds, Watson 9 points, Strusser 6 points 6 rebounds, Picket 5 points 3 rebounds

Clippers: Leonard 17 points 2 rebounds 2 steals, Jones 12 points 3 rebounds 2 steals, Zubac 11 points 10 rebounds 2 steals, Collins 9 points 4 rebounds, Harden 5 points 5 rebounds 11 assists, Lopez 15 points 3 blocks, Brown 6 points 4 rebounds, Miller 5 points, Christie 5 points, Niederhauser 4 points 5 rebounds, Dunn 3 points 2 rebounds, Paul 2 points 2 rebounds 2 assists

Player of the Game

Gordon was highly efficient, scoring 18 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.

Game Highlights

Right at the start, the game clock malfunctioned—first showing zero, then not running at all. The game was delayed by a full 20 minutes and began without any clock display. Players and coaches found it amusing. The $2 billion new arena having such issues left owner Ballmer holding his head in disbelief.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Collins hit a mid-range jumper, Leonard scored 4 straight points, Gordon made a put-back, and Zubac finished a 2+1 play off a pass from Harden, giving the Clippers an early 9-2 lead. Jokic responded with a mid-range shot, Zubac scored on a layup. Harden and Braun traded three-pointers, Gordon scored 4 consecutive points as the Nuggets took the lead. Dunn and Lopez hit back-to-back threes, Gordon and Johnson answered, Valanciunas scored on a hook shot, Lopez hit two more threes, Murray made a three-pointer, and Lopez scored on a mid-range shot. After the first quarter, the Clippers led the Nuggets 32-31.

In the second quarter, Leonard scored 4 straight points again, Watson added 5 consecutive points. Valanciunas scored with a jumper and dunk, forming a twin tower with Jokic, who also made a mid-range shot, pushing the Nuggets ahead by 6. Zubac scored on a hook shot. Leonard scored 4 more points, Gordon dunked on an alley-oop, and Jokic scored on a layup. Leonard dunked, Jones scored 6 straight points, and the Clippers went on a 13-2 run to take a 5-point lead. Gordon hit a three-pointer, and the half ended with the Clippers leading 61-59.

At halftime, two Nuggets players scored in double digits: Gordon with 16 points and 5 rebounds, Jokic with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Clippers had three players with double-digit points: Leonard 17, Zubac 11 with 8 rebounds, and Lopez 13. Although Harden only had 3 points, he contributed 5 rebounds and 10 assists.

After the break, the Clippers substituted Brown and Batum for Leonard and Collins, while the Nuggets kept their starters. Murray scored on a layup, Johnson and Braun hit three-pointers, and the Nuggets went on an 8-0 run to take the lead. Collins responded with a three-pointer, Jones completed a 2+1 play, tying the game. Valanciunas dunked, Paul replaced Harden, and Gordon scored on a mid-range shot. By mid-third quarter, all starters from both teams had been subbed out. Brown scored consecutive free throws, Valanciunas scored on a hook shot, and after three quarters, the Nuggets led 76-75.

In the final quarter, Miller scored on a layup, Paul hit a mid-range jumper, and Strusser made two consecutive three-pointers. Miller also hit a three-pointer, Niederhauser blocked Nagy, Christie stole the ball and dunked. Brown made a three-pointer, Picket scored 5 straight points, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Christie completed a 2+1 play, Jones hit consecutive three-pointers, and Niederhauser scored 4 straight points. Holmes scored on a layup, and ultimately, the Nuggets defeated the Clippers.

Starting Lineups

Nuggets: Murray, Braun, Johnson, Gordon, Jokic

Clippers: Harden, Leonard, Jones, Collins, Zubac