Russell Westbrook may not be his triple machine, MVP self anymore, but on Saturday night he returned the clock.
Westbrook hit a key 3-pointer late in regulation and made game-saving games with 10 seconds back in overtime as he forced a turnover to give Denver Nuggets EN 112-110 win in game 1 in the first round of the playoffs against his former Los Angeles Clippers.
Westbrook has done almost all that is to do for a Hall of Fame CV-36 year old is a nine-time all-star, MVP, two-time scoring champion, three-time assistant leader and average a triple double four times.
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Denver nuggets protects Russell Westbrook (4) responding to his three-point basket in the fourth quarter against La Clippers in the Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Preferred Pictures)
Aside from winning a title.
But his mentality and self -appointed job description could help him check the final box.
“My job is to apologize for my language, FK ST UP,” he said after the competition.
“It’s who he is,” MVP practitioner Nikola Jokic said, after watching Westbrook hit an undisputed corner 3-Pointer to give Denver a two-point lead late in regulation, then knocked in-depth transition from and out of the earlier teammate James Harden with 9.6 seconds back in overtime to help the seal win over Los Angeles clippers.
Denver nuggets protects Russell Westbrook (4) responding to his defensive turnover over time against La Clippers in the Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-Preferred Pictures)
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“Russ is Russ,” said temporary coach David Adelman after improving 4-0. “Defensively, he’s absolutely incredible. He played free security out there. I thought many of the reasons the turnover happened, even if it wasn’t him forced it, (was) just as he stroked around and affected the game.
“And then offensively … he attacked,” Adelman said. “We might have pulled it out and executed. But that’s what Russ is doing. I don’t think he’ll change after 17 years. If he sees someone in front of him 1-on-1, he’ll attack. And then he made a huge 3.”
Jokic scored 29 points and finished a rebound shy for a triple double. Aaron Gordon added 25 points and Jamal Murray 21 when the Nuggets defeated a 15-point first half deficit to power past the hottest team that enters the playoffs.
No. 5 seeds Clippers’ loss was their first since March 30 in Cleveland. They rolled into the playoffs after winning 18 of 21, including their last eight.
Russell Westbrook #4 from Denver Nuggets celebrates during the game against La Clippers during the Round One game one of the 2025 NBA playoffs on April 19, 2025 in Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Game 2 is Monday night back in Denver, making the shocking step of shooting Michael Malone less than two years after winning a title, and a week before the playoffs began.
