Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) guard Ben Simmons (25) and guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray's Big Statement on X-Factor Clippers Player

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated Apr 26, 2025 7:24 AM ET

When fans think of the LA Clippers, they think of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Norman Powell. However, there's one underrated bench player on the team who's been causing a plethora of problems for the Denver Nuggets.

That player is none other than Nicolas Batum.

Through three games in the playoffs, Batum is averaging 9.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks on 52.9% shooting from the field and 52.9% shooting from the three-point range. After the Clippers dominated the Nuggets on Thursday night, both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray gave massive praise to Batum.

“He’s a great player," Jokic said. "Think people forget how good he is. He’s definitely a threat from the three-point lineand so versatile defensively and so smart that helps them a lot.”

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: