INGLEWOOD, Calif. The LA Clippers closed out their preseason slate with a 122-110 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome, but the game was overshadowed by a concerning injury to Denver’s Julian Strawther.
Strawther, the 24-year-old guard entering a contract year, went down in the third quarter clutching his knee after a collision while attempting to drive past Isaiah Jackson and Blake Wesley. He had to be helped back to the locker room and did not return, finishing with 11 points in 19 minutes. Replays looked ominous, and the Nuggets can ill afford to lose backcourt depth with the regular season looming.
First-Half Rhythm
The Clippers controlled the opening frames with balanced scoring and active hands on defense. Denver kept it close early behind Trevon Brazile, who finished with 22 points and two rebounds, and Cam Whitmore’s 17-point effort. Jamal Murray added 14 points and four rebounds, but Denver’s offense sputtered without Nikola Jokić orchestrating from the elbow.
Third-Quarter Separation
Los Angeles pulled away after halftime. The Clippers exploited Denver’s turnovers and pushed the pace, turning stops into transition opportunities. A 33-point third quarter gave them a cushion they never surrendered. Denver’s bench, which had been a preseason strength, couldn’t match LA’s intensity on the defensive end.
Key Highlights
- Brazile’s breakout: The Nuggets forward was Denver’s most consistent offensive threat, scoring inside and out while adding two rebounds.
- Clippers’ balanced attack: Los Angeles finished with six players in double figures, a hallmark of their depth-oriented preseason approach.
- Strawther’s exit: The image of him being helped off the floor will linger longer than the final score.
What’s Next
Denver wraps up its preseason schedule before opening the regular season. The Nuggets will await word on Strawther’s MRI results, which will determine whether their wing rotation takes an early hit. LA, meanwhile, heads into the regular season with momentum and a healthy roster.
