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Russell Westbrook (foot) did not return to Thursday’s Game 3 loss to the Clippers.
Westbrook only played nine first-half minutes before heading to the locker room with an inflamed left foot. His exit resulted in second-half rotation minutes for Julian Strawther, who missed his lone shot attempt and finished with one rebound and one blocked shot in 11 minutes. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, the turnaround will be quick, as Game 4 is on Saturday. Strawther and Jalen Pickett will be asked to contribute more if Westbrook is unable to play.
Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) shot 2-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Thursday’s Game 3 loss to the Clippers, tallying seven points, six rebounds, one assist, one block and one three-pointer in 35 minutes.
Porter was a game-time decision for Game 3 after injuring his left shoulder late in Monday’s Game 2 defeat. While he did play 35 minutes, the Nuggets forward was largely ineffective, shooting 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Porter has a Grade 2 AC joint sprain, an injury that can sideline a player for multiple weeks. But, since it’s the postseason, he’s trying to play through the ailment. With Aaron Gordon (calf) and Russell Westbrook (foot) also dealing with injuries, the Nuggets will be in a tough spot for Saturday’s Game 4.
Aaron Gordon (calf) finished Thursday’s Game 3 loss to the Clippers with 15 points (6-of-16 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), seven rebounds and two three-pointers in 32 minutes.
Gordon got off to a hot start Thursday night, scoring 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field in the first quarter. Unfortunately for him, that was as good as it got in Game 3, and a lingering right calf injury could be a factor. During the game, the NBATV announcers reported that Nuggets interim coach David Adelman had informed them that Gordon would not be playing if it were the regular season. But it’s the postseason, so the veteran forward is doing his best to push through the injury. Game 4 is on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Jamal Murray amassed 23 points (8-of-15 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), four assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 36 minutes in Thursday’s Game 3 loss to the Clippers.
Murray has scored 21 points or more in all three games of this series, shooting over 50 percent from the field in Games 2 and 3. Unfortunately for him and the Nuggets, Thursday’s stat line was recorded in a 34-point defeat. Murray has recorded at least three turnovers in all three games. While the lackluster performances from some of his teammates were more significant issues in Game 3, the Nuggets don’t have much margin for error in a series they now trail two games to one. Game 4 is on Saturday.
Nikola Jokic tallied 23 points (9-of-14 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 13 rebounds, 13 assists, one steal and two three-pointers in 37 minutes in Thursday’s Game 3 loss to the Clippers.
Jokic recorded another triple-double on Thursday, his second of the series, but the Nuggets have lost both games. While Kawhi Leonard’s excellence was a key factor in the Game 2 defeat, Denver’s supporting cast failed to show up in Game 3. With Jokic having to deal with Ivica Zubac for most of the night, Denver’s “others” must be better if they’re to win the series. Game 4 is on Saturday afternoon, with the Nuggets aiming to avoid a 3-1 deficit.
Luke Jackson blew a save while allowing two runs — one earned — and picked up a loss to the Athletics on Thursday.
While one of those runs was caused in part by poor defense from Leodys Taveras, it’s fair to say that Jackson didn’t pitch very well in this contest. He threw 11-of-21 pitches for strikes, and didn’t fool the Sacramento hitters whatsoever. It’s just the first blown save of the season for Jackson, but the Rangers won’t stay too patient with the 33-year-old if he doesn’t pitch well in the coming weeks.