Jamal Murray scored an impressive 43 points, helping the Denver Nuggets clinch a 131-115 victory over the LA Clippers on Tuesday night. This win puts the Nuggets ahead 3-2 in their playoff series.

Russell Westbrook, returning from a foot injury, contributed 21 points in his comeback game. The Nuggets also benefitted from Aaron Gordon’s contribution of 23 points and Nikola Jokic’s stellar performance, which included an 18-point, 10-rebound, and 12-assist triple-double, his 21st in playoff history.

Denver initially built a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter but witnessed the Clippers embark on a 17-4 scoring streak that lowered the margin to 116-107. However, the Nuggets displayed resilience with an 11-0 run to secure the game.

The ongoing series will see the teams face off again on Thursday at the Intuit Dome, where another win by the Nuggets could pave their way to a next-round showdown with the top-seeded Oklahoma City.

For the Clippers, Ivaca Zubac led with a playoff career-high of 27 points, while Kawhi Leonard added 20 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic 18 points.

Murray’s precision was notable as he hit 8 of 14 three-pointers, and his scoring performance was highlighted by a near-miss after the first half’s buzzer.

While the Nuggets took a commanding 67-59 lead into the fourth quarter, aided by a late surge including a long three from Westbrook, the game ultimately demonstrated both teams’ competitive spirit leading to an exciting playoff atmosphere.