Imagine a rookie making a jaw-dropping home debut with 38 points, only to have the game come down to a single missed free throw in the final second. That’s exactly what happened when Bennedict Mathurin and the Los Angeles Clippers edged out the Denver Nuggets 115-114 in a thriller on Thursday night in Inglewood, California. But here's where it gets controversial—was Mathurin’s explosive performance a sign of things to come, or just a one-off spectacle? Let’s dive in.
In his first home game since being acquired from Indiana at the trade deadline, Mathurin lit up the scoreboard, shooting 12 of 22 from the field. His 38 points weren’t just a personal milestone—they were a lifeline for the Clippers, who narrowly escaped with the win. And this is the part most people miss: Mathurin’s heroics came on a night when Kawhi Leonard (23 points) and Derrick Jones Jr. (22 points) also stepped up, showcasing the team’s depth. Since December 20, the Clippers have gone 21-7, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.
But the real drama? Denver’s Jamal Murray had a chance to tie the game with three free throws in the final 0.9 seconds. He made the first two, but missed the third, leaving the Nuggets just short. Bold question: Did the pressure get to Murray, or was it simply a matter of inches? Let us know what you think in the comments.
The Nuggets, missing key players like Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (hamstring), still put up a fight. Nikola Jokic dominated with 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Murray added 20 points. Bruce Brown (19 points), Cam Johnson (18 points), and Julian Strawther (18 points) also contributed, but it wasn’t enough.
Tempers flared with 10:27 left when the Clippers’ Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Kris Dunn, and Mathurin got into a scuffle with the Nuggets’ Jonas Valanciunas under the basket. Dunn, Mathurin, and Valanciunas each received technical fouls, leading to a tied game at 83-83 after Denver’s technical free throw. Is this the kind of intensity we’ll see more of as the season heats up?
The game stayed tight until the end, with Jokic tying it at 107-107 with 46 seconds left. Mathurin’s two free throws with nine seconds remaining put the Clippers up 115-112, setting the stage for Murray’s final attempt.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets travel to Portland on Friday night, while the Clippers host the Los Angeles Lakers in another highly anticipated matchup. Will Mathurin’s debut be a turning point for the Clippers, or will the Nuggets bounce back stronger? Share your thoughts below—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
