Clippers guard James Harden heads to the bench during the second half of their loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, center, drives to the basket between Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, and guard Amir Coffey during the first half on Wednesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, pulls in a rebound as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun hangs from the rim after dunking the ball for a basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Clippers Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, confers with head coach Tyronn Lue in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, center, goes up for a shot as Clippers guard Amir Coffey, left, and forward Nicolas Batum defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, reacts after scoring a basket over Clippers center Ivica Zubac in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook reacts after making a basket against the Clippers in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, right, drives the lane as Clippers forward Nicolas Batum defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, reacts as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther collides with Batum while pursuing a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, front, drives to the basket as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half on Wednesday night in Denver. Westbrook had 19 points and eight assists as the Nuggets handed the Clippers a 126-103 loss. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, and Clippers guard Kris Dunn pursue a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, center, drives the baseline as Clippers guards Kevin Porter Jr., left, and James Harden defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard James Harden, front right, loses control of the ball as he runs into Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, front left, as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook looks on in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, back, fouls Clippers guard Amir Coffey as he drives the lane in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Dario Saric, center, and guard Julian Strawther defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, left, fouls Clippers guard Norman Powell as he drives the lane in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue diagrams a play during a time out in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller, center, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, and forward Dario Saric defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr., center, drives to the basket between Denver Nuggets forwards Dario Saric, left, and Peyton Watson in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, back, dunks the ball for a basket as Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., front left, and center Ivica Zubac look on in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, blocks a shot by Clippers guard Norman Powell, center, as Denver forward Michael Porter Jr. trails the play in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, drives to the basket as Clippers guard Norman Powell defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey, front, goes up for a basket as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Dario Saric, left, collects the ball as Clippers center Mo Bamba defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Kobe Brown, left, dunks the ball for a basket over Denver Nuggets forward Hunter Tyson in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac is fouled while going up for a shot by Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller, center, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets forwards Dario Saric, left, and Peyton Watson defend in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, is congratulated after scoring a basket by guard Jamal Murray during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Clippers guard James Harden heads to the bench during the second half of their loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER — On a night when each team was missing a future Hall of Famer, the Denver Nuggets took care of the Clippers with the help of two former Clippers.
Jamal Murray had 21 points and nine assists, former Clippers sparkplug Russell Westbrook added 19 points and eight assists and former Clippers center DeAndre Jordan had his best night of the season as the Nuggets pounded the Clippers, 126-103, on Wednesday night.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was out for the second straight game due to an illness. Denver, which was also without forward Aaron Gordon, improved to 2-3 without three-time league MVP Jokic this season.
Norman Powell scored 30 points to finish with a 27.6 average in the Clippers’ four games against the Nuggets. James Harden had 16 points and Ivica Zubac and Kevin Porter Jr. each added 10 for the visitors, who have lost four of their last five games.
Denver took control with a 20-3 run in the first quarter to open a 30-13 lead and made five straight 3-pointers to extend the margin to 55-30 with 7:28 left in the second quarter. The Clippers used a 10-0 run to get back within range and trailed by 16 at halftime.
The Nuggets used another spurt midway through the third quarter to put the game away.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone made a change from Tuesday night by starting Jordan in Jokic’s place and bringing Dario Saric off the bench. Part of the “Lob City” era Clippers, Jordan responded to his starting assignment with a season-high 12 points and tied his season-best with nine rebounds. He had a big third quarter, dunking off of two alley-oops and tipping in a feed from Westbrook that helped the lead grow to 27 points.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 19 points, Julian Strawther contributed 16 and Christian Braun added 15 as the Nuggets spread the scoring around while improving to 8-0 in the second game of back-to-back sets this season.
UP NEXT
The Clippers return home to play Charlotte on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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