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Undermanned Nuggets beat four Hall of Famers in hilarious fashion

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12 months ago

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Undermanned Nuggets beat four Hall of Famers in hilarious fashion


Two of the best Los Angeles Clippers in recent memory caught fire on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, not only turning back the clock but torching their old team in a gusty 113-104 Denver Nuggets win.

Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan channeled the stars they were filling in for and shamed four future Hall of Famers in Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook on Monday. Jackson, who point guarded the Clippers’ most recent deep playoff run with some of those stars, poured in 35 points on 19 shots, dished 13 assists and grabbed five rebounds over 40 minutes. Jordan, who is arguably the best player in Clippers history, scored 21 points on 11 shots, snagged 13 rebounds and dimed five helpers.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray would have been happy to put up those numbers let alone get the results Denver got led by the spelling veterans.

“Nine years in there are quite a few examples of games like this that you can reference,” Micheal Malone said postgame. “Second night of a back-to-back, like KCP said, ‘superstars out, Nuggets roll.’ No Jamal, no Aaron (Gordon), no Nikola. We struggle to win games on the road when healthy and for us to come and play the way we did, Reggie was incredible…when you can win games like this it speaks to your depth and belief.”

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Jackson’s night was arguably just as productive as any Leonard, George, Harden or Westbrook have had in their careers. Big Government was the first NBA player in 55 years with at least 35 points, 13 helpers and five boards on 78% shooting. The last to best Jackson’s Monday night? The man Jokic constantly pens his name over—Wilt Chamberlain. Jackson was also just the fourth player, joining Jokic and two All-NBA First Teamers in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous Alexander, to record similar stats in a contest this decade.

Not only is every matchup against the Clippers personal for Jackson because he was traded to be cut by them last season—but it’s always extra in playing Westbrook. The former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates famously beefed there, forcing the backup point Jackson to be shipped to Detroit. And the Clippers moves last spring came in part to send Jackson away to clear a spot for Westbrook.

“I challenge Reggie Jackson to tell himself in his mind that he’s playing the Clippers every game,” Malone said. He laughed last week about how Jackson always seems to be at his best against his former teams after the point guard helped throttle Detirot without Jokic.

Jackson was by far the most impactful player in the game, as the Nuggets outscored the Clippers by 25 when he was in. And Denver did most of that work in the fourth quarter, beating Los Angeles in the final frame 36-16. It was just the 13th time in team history and fourth time on the road Denver outscored an opponent by 20 in the final period and the Nuggets were just 16-746 all time when trailing by 11 or more points after three quarters.

At game’s end, Westbrook was beefing with a fan on the side as play kept on. He, plus his star three teammates, finished with 62 points on 55 shots. Jackson and Jordan scored 56, taking 30 attempts.

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The Nuggets were a team against a collection of stars a night after their star marveled in topping the Spurs. Giving Joker the night off for back pain, his first rest of the year, Denver relied on young players—using Peyton Watson to close and getting big moments from Julian Strawther.

“They were patient for eight years with me, I think we can wait a few games for the young players,” Jokic said Sunday night regarding young players and the Nuggets road struggles.

A night later Malone said, “For Peyton Watson to finish a close game on the road, that’s only going to help his confidence. For Julian Strawther to be out there in the fourth when the game hangs in the balance is going to help his confidence. Experience is the best teacher, those guys are getting some great experience.”

The Nuggets have now won four games on the road, funny enough two have basically come without Joker. Denver’s up to 12-6, which is the most wins in the west. They’re back on Wednesday for a test against a Rockets team that has beaten them twice before heading off on a five-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Clippers are 7-9 and sit outside of the playoff picture. Los Angeles has lost eight straight to Denver and is 2-14 against the Nuggets since going ahead 3-1 in 2020’s bubble. Like that time, Monday’s game ended with George bricking a key three—just as he did in Denver two weeks ago.

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Denver, CO

Denver area events for Nov. 25: Pop-up holiday lounge at Union Station and more

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3 hours ago

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November 25, 2024

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Denver area events for Nov. 25: Pop-up holiday lounge at Union Station and more


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.

Monday

Sipping N’ Painting Hampden — “Alaska Night,” 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sipping N’ Painting Hampden, 6461 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, $35. Registration required: sippingnpaintinghampden.com.

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Brazilian Zouk Classes and Social Dance — 7-11:30 p.m., Mercury Café, 2199 California St., Denver, $20 class and social, $15 social only; mercurycafe.com.

Cloud Nothings — With Armlock, Famers Wife, 8 p.m., Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $25. Tickets: axs.com.

Mile High Holidays Drone Show — 7 p.m. through Dec. 31, Denver skies; denver.org/milehighholidays.

“American Dreams” Exhibit — Through Dec. 31, Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: mollybrown.org.

“Shadow and Light: Patrick Marold” — Through Jan. 5, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, go online for prices; botanicgardens.org.

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“Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco” — Through Jan. 12, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, 1201 Bannock St., Denver. Go online for prices. Tickets: kirklandmuseum.org.

“Dawoud Bey: Street Portraits” — Through May 11, Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver, go online for prices: denverartmuseum.org.

Monday-Dec. 28

Miracle at Union Station: Buddy’s Bar — Pop-up cocktail lounge featuring holiday décor, cocktails and a designated Hanukkah table, 4-p.m.-midnight, Galley Bar on lower level, Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver. Reservations: denverunionstation.com.

Monday-Dec. 30

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Free Downtown Trolley Rides — See the downtown Castle Rock decorations, 5-7 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays, no rides Dec. 24, pickup/drop-off points Encore Garage Entrance on South Street between Wilcox and Perry Street and Douglas County School District Parking Lot Entrance on 6th Street Wilcox and Perry Street, Castle Rock; crgov.com/2622/season-of-the-star.

CARLOTTA OLSON, The Denver Gazette



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PHOTOS: Denver Broncos beat Las Vegas Raiders, 29-19, in NFL Week 12

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12 hours ago

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November 24, 2024

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PHOTOS: Denver Broncos beat Las Vegas Raiders, 29-19, in NFL Week 12




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Raiders HC Sounds Off on Broncos QB Bo Nix’s Rapid Rise

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20 hours ago

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November 24, 2024

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Raiders HC Sounds Off on Broncos QB Bo Nix’s Rapid Rise


On Sunday, fans will be treated to a head-to-head contest between two rapidly emerging offensive powerhouses, both of whom are bonafide Rookie of the Year contenders. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers found new homes with consecutive picks during last April’s NFL draft, and since then, they’ve performed exceptionally well in the pro ranks.

Nix is firmly on the radar of Raiders head coach Antonio Piece, but that’s even more true after yet another award-winning performance last week.

“He was a winner as a freshman. He was a winner as a six-year player,” Pierce noted of Nix. “All he does is win, come in the league. Won the quarterback battle there in Denver. Maybe they were keeping them tight on the leash early on, and now they’re not. He has full control that offense. You can see that Sean Payton gives him opportunities to audible and make some adjustments. He’s making throws, he’s running with his legs, he’s taking care of the football, and he’s winning. That’s all you can ask for from a rookie.”

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Nix presents a clear and present danger to the Raiders’ chances of squeezing out what would be only their third win of their massively disappointing season. Stopping the impressive rookie is proving to be another matter entirely for NFL defenses, especially one with a badly beaten-up roster like the Raiders.

“This is crazy,” Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo said via ESPN‘s Paul Gutierrez. “I’ve never seen this amount of injuries on any team I’ve been on.”

This week, Broncos head coach Sean Payton has pumped the brakes a little on the burgeoning hype exploding around Nix. That being said, you get the distinct feeling that Payton is more than comfortable unleashing Nix’s full array of talents at his disposal. Confidence is growing in Nix, and that’s been reflected in how Payton has opened up the playbook for his first-year signal-caller.

The juices are flowing, and Payton may have found an answer in dynamic second-year receiver Marvin Mims Jr. The mystical “joker” role within the Broncos offense seems to have been filled.

“I think we always gotta be saying, ‘Hey, are we doing everything we can to highlight his strengths?’ And so, yeah, I don’t know if he’s got the ‘joker’ tattoo, but he might be invited to the club,” Payton said via Andrew Mason.

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When push comes to shove, if Nix plays lights out again, an easy win might come Denver’s way, but stopping Bowers would also ensure the victory and help in the race for Rookie of the Year honors. Payton is already on high alert, but it was also tinged with a bit of football envy when he illustrated Bowers’ “joker” abilities.

“Someone had a really good vision for him and you see all the ‘Joker’ traits, means and change of direction,” Payton said of Bowers. “It can’t be a little. It’s a high-end receiving trait and he can move, he can be outside and he can run a route tree maybe different than most tight ends.” 

Follow Denver Broncos On SI/Mile High Huddle on X and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!





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