Despite not having the services of Nikola Jokic on the second night of a back-to-back, with the reigning MVP missing time due to illness, the Denver Nuggets defended their home floor with conviction against the Los Angeles Clippers,

Less than eight minutes into the first quarter Westbrook found himself next to Clippers center Ivica Zubac on lane while DeAndre Jordan lined up a free throw. Feeling energetic, the Nuggets veteran warned his much taller and larger opponent that he'd better box out.

The Nuggets, Lakers, and Warriors are all interested in a Jonas Valanciunas trade, but the Wizards won't deal him for peanuts.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, pulls in a rebound as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski ...

Nuggets: Coach Michael Malone made a change from Tuesday night by starting former Clipper DeAndre Jordan in Jokic’s place and bringing Dario Saric off the bench. Jordan finished with a season-high 12 points and tied his season high with nine rebounds.

James Harden scored 21 points to go along with 12 assists, Ivica Zubac added 21 points and 19 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers earned a 116-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night in the first game between the teams at Inglewood,

Denver is 2-3 without him this season. Norman Powell scored 30 points to finish with a 27.6 average in the Clippers' four games against the Nuggets. James Harden had 16 points and Ivica Zubac ...