Clippers beat Nuggets 122-110 as Brazile shines in preseason
Key takeaways
- The LA Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets 122-110 in a preseason game at Intuit Dome.
- Trevon Brazile led Denver with 22 points off the bench on 8-of-10 shooting.
- Nikola Jokic had a quiet night with 5 points, and Julian Strawther left with a left knee injury.
The LA Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets 122-110. The game took place on Wednesday, October 14. It was a preseason game. It took place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Preseason games do not count in the standings. Teams use them to test players. They test new lineups.
They build fitness before the real season starts.
Denver had some bright spots. Trevon Brazile was the best of them. He scored 22 points off the bench.
But the Clippers were the better team on the night. They shot well. They moved the ball well.
They pulled away for a 12-point win.
What happened
The Clippers started slow. Denver jumped ahead early. The Clippers fell behind by 15 points in the first quarter.
The home crowd had little to cheer at first.
Then the Clippers fought back. The second unit changed the game. The bench players hit shots.
They played with pace. They tied the game by the end of the first quarter.
The Clippers kept rolling after that. They led by as many as 16 points in the third quarter. Denver could not catch up.
The Clippers closed out the 122-110 win at home.
Los Angeles shot 51.7 percent from the field. The team hit 15 three-pointers. The Clippers piled up 35 assists on 45 made baskets.
That is good ball movement. It shows a team that shares the ball.
Denver shot 47.7 percent from the field. The Nuggets hit 33.3 percent from three-point range. They turned the ball over 16 times.
Those errors hurt them. They gave the Clippers extra chances.
Trevon Brazile was the star for Denver. He scored 22 points in 25 minutes. He shot 8-of-10 from the field.
He hit 3-of-4 from three-point range. He hit 3-of-5 free throws. He added 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block.
He did not commit a turnover.
Cam Whitmore also gave Denver a spark. He scored 17 points in 24 minutes. He shot 7-of-13 from the field.
He grabbed 4 rebounds. He added 1 steal. His energy off the bench helped Denver stay in the game.
Jamal Murray led the Denver starters. He scored 14 points in 17 minutes. He shot 6-of-8 from the field.
He hit 2-of-3 from deep. He did not commit a turnover. His plus-minus was plus-4. That was the best mark among the starters.
Nikola Jokic had a quiet night. He scored just 5 points in 17 minutes. He shot 1-of-6 from the field.
He grabbed 6 rebounds. He handed out 7 assists. He also picked up 4 fouls.
That limited his time on the floor.
Julian Strawther scored 11 points in 19 minutes. He hit 3-of-7 from three-point range. But he left the game with a left knee injury.
NBC Sports reported the injury. There was no word yet on how bad it is. Denver will hope it is minor.
For the Clippers, Rui Hachimura led the way with 16 points. He hit 3-of-5 from deep. Darius Garland added 14 points and 7 assists.
The bench also played a big part in the win.
Two rookies stood out for Los Angeles. Keaton Wagler started the game. He played a team-high 28 minutes.
He scored 12 points. He handed out 4 assists. He hit 3-of-7 from three-point range.
Baba Miller came off the bench. He scored 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting. He grabbed 5 rebounds in 21 minutes.
He picked up 6 fouls. But his scoring gave the Clippers a lift.
Why it matters
Preseason games are tests. The score does not count. But the signs do count.
The Clippers showed depth. Their bench changed the game. Their rookies played with confidence.
That is what coaches want to see in October.
Denver showed a mixed picture. The bench scored well. Brazile and Whitmore both played with force.
But the starters did not produce enough. Jokic had an off night. That happens in preseason.
Still, Denver needs more from its top players.
The Strawther injury is the main worry. He is a young guard. He gives Denver shooting off the bench.
A knee injury is never good news. The team will check him. Fans will wait for an update.
The game also showed the gap in shooting. The Clippers hit 45.5 percent from three-point range. Denver hit 33.3 percent.
That is a big gap. Three-point shooting wins many games in the modern NBA. Denver must close that gap.
For Brazile, the game was a statement. He played 25 minutes. He scored with ease.
He played clean basketball. He did not turn the ball over. Nights like this help a player earn more minutes.
Coaches notice games like this one.
For more preseason basketball, read about Jalen Duren's big night for Detroit. You can also check the NBA standings preview for 2026-27. Another preseason game to catch up on is London Lions vs Trail Blazers.
What happens next
The regular season is close. Both teams will trim their rosters. They will lock in their rotations.
They will fix the errors from this game.
Denver will want a better night from Jokic. He is the team's best player. He will not shoot 1-of-6 often.
The team will also want news on Strawther. A short absence would be a relief. A long one would hurt the bench.
The Clippers will want to keep the ball moving. Thirty-five assists is a strong number. It shows a team that trusts each other.
The rookies will want to build on this game. Wagler and Miller both made a case for minutes.
Preseason results fade fast. The real games start soon. But nights like this one still teach lessons.
The Clippers learned they have depth. The Nuggets learned their bench can score. Both teams will take those lessons into the season.
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