Rating Nuggets Players vs. Clippers: Stars In Denver Show Up In Impressive Performance

Jamal Murray delivered a vintage playoff performance, exploding for 43 points to lead the Denver Nuggets past the Los Angeles Clippers 131-115 on Tuesday night and seize a 3-2 lead in their first-round series. Murray was scorching from deep, connecting on 8 of 14 triples and finishing 17 of 26 overall, setting the tone for a Denver offense that looked unstoppable for most of the night. 

His heroics were supported by Russell Westbrook, who returned from a foot injury and provided a crucial spark with 21 points, including 16 in an electric first half that helped the Nuggets build momentum. Aaron Gordon, fresh off his Game 4 buzzer-beating dunk, stayed hot with 23 points, while Nikola Jokic quietly notched his 21st career playoff triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists.

Denver controlled much of the game, stretching their lead to 22 early in the fourth quarter. Yet, for the second straight contest, they had to withstand a late Clippers surge. L.A. sliced the deficit to just nine with a 17-4 run, threatening to replicate their furious Game 4 comeback. 

But this time, the Nuggets slammed the door shut with an emphatic 11-0 response. Murray poured in six points during the decisive run, while Gordon added five more, forcing Clippers coach Tyronn Lue to wave the white flag and empty his bench in the final minutes. It was a statement finish from a Denver team that had learned its lesson after nearly squandering big leads in back-to-back games.

Denver’s depth shone late in the third quarter, when Westbrook and Christian Braun drilled back-to-back deep threes from 28 feet to extend the lead to 99-83 heading into the final period. With their stars firing and role players stepping up, the Nuggets now head into Game 6 on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome with a chance to close out the series. Let's provide a rating for every Nuggets player after Tuesday night. 

Jamal Murray: A+

Stats: 43 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 7 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 17-26 FG, 8-14 3PT, 1-1 FT, +17, 40 MIN

This was peak "Playoff Murray." He was unstoppable all night, torching the Clippers with 43 points on blistering efficiency (17-of-26 FG, 8-of-14 3PT). His shot-making was both difficult and timely, especially during the fourth-quarter run that sealed the game. He added seven assists, three steals, and played with swagger and confidence reminiscent of his 2020 bubble heroics. A truly elite playoff performance.

Aaron Gordon: A

Stats: 23 PTS, 4 REB (2 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 7-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, 8-9 FT, +13, 37 MIN

Gordon continues to thrive in this series, following up his Game 4 heroics with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He was aggressive getting to the line (8-of-9 FT) and provided physicality and scoring inside. His five points during Denver’s late 11-0 run were pivotal in closing out the Clippers’ rally. Gordon is peaking at the right time and giving Denver the secondary scoring punch they need.

Nikola Jokic: A

Stats: 13 PTS, 10 REB (1 OREB, 9 DREB), 12 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 4-13 FG, 1-4 3PT, 4-5 FT, +18, 37 MIN

While the shooting (4-of-13) was off, Jokic still dominated the game with his playmaking and floor control, notching his 21st career playoff triple-double (13-10-12). He made life easier for everyone, orchestrating the offense to perfection. His defense also quietly mattered, recording two blocks and altering shots. Jokic showed why he’s the engine—even when the scoring dips, everything still flows through him.

Russell Westbrook: A

Stats: 21 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 3 PF, 8-15 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, -4, 25 MIN

Westbrook’s return from injury gave Denver an emotional and energy boost. He scored 21 points in just 25 minutes, with 16 coming in an electric first half that set the tone. He hit 3-of-6 from deep, attacked the rim relentlessly, and provided the burst Denver had missed. Though his -4 plus-minus hints at some defensive lapses, his offensive impact was undeniable.

Christian Braun: A

Stats: 11 PTS, 12 REB (4 OREB, 8 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 5-8 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-2 FT, +18, 37 MIN

Braun was everywhere. He grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds (including 4 offensive boards), scored 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and chipped in three assists and two steals. His energy and hustle plays were crucial, especially in extending possessions and defending on the perimeter. Braun’s +18 in 37 minutes highlights how impactful he was on both ends.

Michael Porter Jr.: B+

Stats: 14 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 5-10 FG, 3-5 3PT, 1-1 FT, +34, 37 MIN

Porter had an efficient shooting night (5-of-10 FG, 3-of-5 3PT) and chipped in 14 points. His scoring helped stretch the Clippers’ defense, and his +34 plus-minus was the best on the team, showing his floor-spacing value. However, with just two rebounds and one assist in 37 minutes, his overall activity level wasn’t as high as some of his teammates. Still, a solid performance.

Zeke Nnaji: N/A

Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-3 FT, -4, 2 MIN

Nnaji got on the board with two points at the free-throw line during garbage time but didn’t have much of a chance to make an impact in his two minutes. His lone block was a small bright spot in an otherwise quiet stint.

Hunter Tyson: N/A

Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 2 MIN

Tyson knocked down his only shot attempt, a short jumper, to tally two points late in the fourth quarter. Other than that, he had a low-activity outing in his brief appearance.

Peyton Watson: N/A

Stats: 2 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 8 MIN

Watson showed flashes of his athleticism and defensive versatility in eight minutes, contributing two points, two boards, a steal, and a block. While the sample size was small, his energy stood out among Denver’s deep reserves.

Vlatko Cancar: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 2 MIN

Cancar checked in during the final minutes but didn’t record a single counting stat across his two minutes. It was essentially a placeholder appearance with the outcome already decided.

DeAndre Jordan: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 10 MIN

Jordan provided solid veteran minutes, grabbing two boards and dishing out two assists in 10 minutes. He also added a block, showing some presence defensively even in mop-up duty.

Jalen Pickett: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 2 MIN

Pickett only saw two minutes and didn’t attempt a shot, with his lone stat being a turnover. It was a forgettable outing without much opportunity to make an impression.

Julian Strawther: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 2 MIN

Strawther also played just two minutes and finished with an empty stat line. Like Pickett and Cancar, he simply filled space in the closing moments of Denver's blowout win.