-1600x900.webp)
DENVER — The Clippers are dominated from the tip-off losing 126-103 to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. Los Angeles split the season series with the Nuggets . The Clippers are now 20-17 after the loss and return home for a Saturday night matchup with the Charlotte Hornets.
Here are some takeaways from the Clippers loss to the Nuggets :
Coast to coast loss for the Clips
The Clippers struggled against the Nuggets and never led in the game.
A lot was on the mind of the Clippers players with fires going on throughout the city and maybe that took a toll.
Los Angeles just didn’t look like a team ready to win a basketball game on Wednesday night.
The Nuggets took early control of the game with a 20-3 run in the first quarter and led 55-30 late in the second quarter before Los Angeles cut it to 16 at the half.
The Clippers were down by as much as 29 points in tonight’s game and looked like they had no chance even against a shorthanded Nuggets team.
Kawhi returns to be with family during wildfires
Kawhi Leonard was unavailable for the Clippers on Wednesday night as he returned to Los Angeles to be with his family while the city deals with wildfires.
Leonard has played in the last two games before missing Wednesday night. Leonard is slowing coming along after missing the team’s first 34 while recovering from a right knee injury.
Family comes first before a game and Leonard did was best for his family. The Clippers star is said to own a home in the Pacific Palisades where the wildfires have hit.
He should be with the team as they return to Los Angeles to play on Saturday night.
Powell the lone bright spot for LA
Not much went right for the Clippers but the play of their All Star, Norman Powell.
Powell continues to excel in his more prominent role this season. He scored 30 points to finish with a 27.6 average in the Clippers' four games against the Nuggets.
The former Bruin has scored 20 or more points in his last three games.
He has been the Clippers lead scorer all season and even with the return of Leonard, he will be looked upon to carry the offensive load until Leonard is fully back to himself.