INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Bennedict Mathurin did just a bit of everything against the Denver Nuggets.
In just his third game in red and blue after being traded to LA from the Indiana Pacers, the 23-year-old notched 38 points with three steals off the bench to lift the Los Angeles Clippers to a 115-114 win over Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
Jokic — despite dropping a double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds — was not himself at Intuit Dome. The three-time MVP committed a game-high six turnovers, missed all six of his 3-point attempts and picked up five fouls. The Clippers exploited him, complementing Mathurin with signature performances from Kawhi Leonard and Derrick Jones Jr.
Jones Jr. set a new season high with 22 points with some clutch buckets down the stretch. LA clinched the win after Denver guard Jamal Murray missed the would-be game-tying free throw with under one second remaining in regulation.
After a busy trade deadline, the Clippers appear to be headed in a new direction. Reporter Kasey Kazliner covered the intense matchup and analyzed the Clippers’ critical win on Unclipped, TOT’s Clippers podcast. Listen below!