Clippers Edge Nuggets in Heart-Stopping 115-114 Thriller

The Intuit Dome erupted. Bennedict Mathurin stood at the free-throw line, ice in his veins, and knocked down two clutch free throws with nine seconds left. On the other end, Jamal Murray—one of the league’s most reliable closers—had a chance to tie it. He missed.

That’s how the Clippers escaped with a 115-114 nail-biter over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, and if you blinked, you missed one of the wildest finishes of the season.

Mathurin Announces His Arrival in LA

In his home debut as a Clipper, Mathurin didn’t just show up—he showed out. The former lottery pick dropped 38 points off the bench, shooting an efficient 12-of-22 from the field. He was aggressive, fearless, and exactly what this team needed after losing James Harden in a trade to Cleveland.

And he better because the Clippers are clawing their way back into playoff contention, sitting in the 10th spot in the West and holding onto that final play-in position. They’ve gone 21-7 since December 20, a remarkable turnaround after starting the season 6-21. Coach Tyronn Lue has turned this team into a legitimate threat, and performances like Mathurin’s only add fuel to the fire.

Kawhi Leonard chipped in 23 points, playing with the same cool efficiency that’s defined his entire career. Derrick Jones Jr. added 22, including a highlight-reel alley-oop dunk in the first quarter that set the tone early.

Jokic Does Jokic Things, But It’s Not Enough

On the other side, Nikola Jokic put together another workmanlike performance: 22 points and 17 rebounds. The three-time MVP looked fresh coming out of the All-Star break, even though he barely broke a sweat during the festivities—five minutes of action, zero points. Classic Jokic.

He tied the game at 107 with 46 seconds left on a tough bucket inside, and for a moment, it felt like Denver might steal this one. But the Clippers had other plans.

Jamal Murray finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, flirting with a triple-double. Bruce Brown added 19, and Cam Johnson and Julian Strawther each chipped in 18. The Nuggets fought hard, but they’re still missing key pieces. Aaron Gordon has been out for 10 straight games with a hamstring injury, and Peyton Watson has missed the last four with the same issue.

Denver’s depth is being tested, and it showed down the stretch.

A Game of Runs and Emotions

This wasn’t just a close game—it was an emotional roller coaster. With 10:27 left in the fourth, tempers flared when Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Kris Dunn, and Mathurin got tangled up with Jonas Valanciunas. The refs had to step in, and the tension in the building was palpable.

Both teams traded punches down the stretch. The Nuggets hit a big three-pointer to cut the lead to 112-113 with 11 seconds left, courtesy of Jamal Murray. Then Mathurin stepped to the line and calmly sank both free throws to push it to 115-112.

Murray drove hard and scored with 18 seconds left, making it a one-point game again. He got fouled on the play and had a chance to tie it at the line. He made the first two. Then he missed the third.

Game over.

What This Means for Both Teams

For the Clippers, this win keeps their improbable playoff push alive. They’re not just surviving without Harden—they’re thriving. Mathurin’s emergence gives them a dynamic scoring option, and Leonard is playing some of his best basketball in years. If they can keep this momentum going, they might sneak into the postseason and cause some real problems.

For the Nuggets, this loss stings. They’re sitting in third place in the West, but they were 2-4 heading into the All-Star break, and now they’re 2-5 since. The injuries are piling up, and while Jokic can only do so much, they need Gordon and Watson back soon.

Coach David Adelman tried to put a positive spin on things before the break: “All these guys need a break, not just from basketball but from each other (and) from me.”

The Final Word

This was basketball at its finest—gritty, emotional, and decided in the final seconds. Mathurin announced himself to the Intuit Dome faithful, Leonard reminded everyone he’s still one of the best in the game, and the Clippers proved they’re not going anywhere quietly.

As for the Nuggets? They’ll regroup, get healthy, and come back swinging. But on this night, it was the Clippers who walked away with the W.