Russell Westbrook might not be his triple-double machine, MVP self anymore, however on Saturday evening, he turned again the clock.
Westbrook hit a key 3-pointer late in regulation and made the game-saving play with 10 seconds left in time beyond regulation when he pressured a turnover to offer the Denver Nuggets a 112-110 win in Recreation 1 of the primary spherical of the playoffs towards his former Los Angeles Clippers.
Westbrook has accomplished nearly all the pieces there’s to do for a Corridor of Fame resume – the 36-year-old is a nine-time All-Star, MVP, two-time scoring champ, three-time help chief, and averaged a triple-double 4 instances.
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Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) reacts to his three-point basket within the fourth quarter towards the LA Clippers at Ball Enviornment. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Pictures)
Besides win a title.
However, his mentality, and self-proclaimed job description, may assist him test off that ultimate field.
“My job is to, excuse my language, f–k s–t up,” he mentioned after the competition.
“That’s who he is,” MVP contender Nikola Jokic mentioned after watching Westbrook hit an uncontested nook 3-pointer to offer Denver a two-point lead late in regulation after which knocking the inbounds move away from — and off of — former teammate James Harden with 9.6 seconds left in time beyond regulation to assist seal Denver’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) reacts following his defensive turnover in time beyond regulation towards the LA Clippers at Ball Enviornment. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Pictures)
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“Russ is Russ,” interim coach David Adelman mentioned after bettering to 4-0. “Defensively, he’s absolutely incredible. He was playing free safety out there. I thought a lot of the reasons why the turnovers happened, even if it wasn’t him forcing it, (was) just the way he was roaming around and impacting the game.
“After which offensively … he attacked,” Adelman said. “We perhaps may have pulled it out and executed. However that is what Russ does. I do not assume he’ll change after 17 years. If he sees someone in entrance of him 1-on-1, he’ll assault. After which he made an unlimited 3.”
Jokic scored 29 points and finished one rebound shy of a triple-double. Aaron Gordon added 25 points and Jamal Murray 21 as the Nuggets overcame a 15-point first-half deficit to power past the hottest team entering the playoffs.
The No. 5 seed Clippers’ loss was their first since March 30 at Cleveland. They rolled into the playoffs having won 18 of 21, including their last eight.
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates during the game against the LA Clippers during Round One Game One of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Game 2 is Monday night back in Denver, who made the shocking move of firing Michael Malone less than two years after winning a title, and a week before the playoffs began.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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