The Los Angeles Clippers faced a critical Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets, knowing that a win would propel them one step closer to advancing in the NBA playoffs, while a loss would mark the end of their season. Unfortunately for the Clippers, they faltered early, never fully recovering from a rough start, and fell 131-115 at Ball Arena, leaving them one loss away from elimination.

From the opening whistle, the Clippers found themselves on the backfoot. Struggling defensively, they failed to contain Jamal Murray, who delivered a career-high 43 points, pushing the Nuggets to a commanding 22-point lead in the fourth quarter. Despite a solid performance from Ivica Zubac, who scored a playoff career-high 27 points, and a near-triple-double from Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers could not overcome the Nuggets’ offensive firepower.

Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue Reflects on the Loss
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged his team’s struggles, saying, “I don’t think it’s a sense of urgency. I think they kicked our butt. They played well. Game 4, we didn’t come out with a sense of urgency, but tonight I thought we had the right intent, and they just took it to us.”

With the loss, the Clippers trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and are now on the brink of being eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Jamal Murray Dominates Game 5
Murray’s shooting was nearly flawless, going 17-for-26 from the field and 8-for-14 from three-point range. His performance was instrumental in Denver’s dominance, as he also added seven assists and five rebounds. Nikola Jokic also made his presence felt with a triple-double, posting 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Murray remained focused on the team effort, saying, “I’m just glad we got a win, man. Shots are going to miss, they’re going to make. I’m still going to play my game. I’m still going to be aggressive. It was a team win.”

Clippers’ Slow Start Costs Them
The Clippers’ biggest issue in Game 5 was their inability to start strong. They found themselves trailing 35-23 at the end of the first quarter and shot just 39.1% from the field. Their three-point shooting was especially poor, hitting only 14.3% (1-for-7). Despite efforts to catch up, the Clippers were never able to mount a serious challenge.

“We’re trying to figure it out,” Zubac commented on the team’s slow starts. “They are more physical to start. I don’t think it’s a tactical thing; we just have to play harder.”

Westbrook’s Return Energizes Nuggets
Former Clippers star Russell Westbrook made an immediate impact in Game 5, scoring 21 points, including 16 in the first half. Westbrook’s energy and physicality were crucial in helping the Nuggets secure the win. His return from injury, after missing Game 4 due to left foot inflammation, was a key factor in the Nuggets’ victory.

Looking Ahead: Game 6 and the Season on the Line
The Clippers now face a must-win Game 6 on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome. If they manage to extend the series, a winner-takes-all Game 7 will be played on Saturday in Denver. However, history is not on their side: teams that win Game 5 of a tied series go on to win the series 81.3% of the time.

The Clippers will need to regroup, find their rhythm, and overcome their slow starts if they hope to avoid an early exit from the playoffs.