Murray's early exploits lead Nuggets to rout of Clippers

Updated Jan. 6, 2023 12:24 a.m. ET

Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray sparked Denver early by scoring 13 of his 18 points in the first quarter, and the Nuggets led by as many as 43 in cruising to a 122-91 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

The Nuggets picked the perfect time to turn in one of their best performances of the season. In a nationally televised game, Denver was pushing the pace and showing why the team is tied with Memphis for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Nuggets shot 50.6% from the floor and finished with 28 assists.

It wasn't even Nikola Jokic doing most of the damage, either. The two-time reigning NBA MVP had 12 points, six rebounds and nine assists before taking the fourth quarter off.

Murray was one of seven Denver players to finish in double figures. He hit four of the team's 14 3-pointers.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope helped fuel a 19-0 run in the second quarter to turn the game into a rout.

Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the rest of the Clippers had an off night shooting as they dropped their fourth straight game. They shot 37.4% from the floor, including 5 of 37 from 3-point range.

Leonard finished with six points while George, playing with a sore hamstring, had three. Neither played in the second half and they were a combined 3 of 16 from the field.

None of the Clippers starters scored in double figures. Norman Powell led Los Angeles with 13 points.

Murray set the tone early with his 13-point opening quarter on 5-of-6 shooting. The dynamic point guard is off to an up-and-down start as he works his way back from a torn ACL that caused him to miss last season.

On the plane ride home from a loss in Minnesota this week, Nuggets coach Michael Malone sat next to Murray for a heart-to-heart chat.

“It was me just trying to reach out to a player and show him support,” Malone said. “That’s just the relationship that Jamal and I have. Constant communication, collaboration.”

TIP-INS

Clippers: F Nicolas Batum sat out with a sprained left ankle. ... G John Wall was inactive (left knee injury management).

Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar had 15 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. ... Bones Hyland scored 16.

UP NEXT

Clippers: At Minnesota on Friday night.

Nuggets: Host Cleveland on Friday night.

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