Denver Nuggets edged the Los Angeles Clippers 102-94

The Denver Nuggets edged the Los Angeles Clippers 102-94 in a preseason rematch of last year’s playoff series. Aaron Gordon led all scorers with 18 points, while Nikola Jokic added 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 22 minutes. Kawhi Leonard and Brook Lopez led the Clippers with 17 and 15 points, respectively.

The first half was highly competitive, with both teams treating it like a dress rehearsal rather than a typical early-season game. Early play-clock issues forced multiple stoppages, but the action remained intense. Jokic and Gordon missed early threes for Denver, while LA scored six quick points, including a Leonard transition finish. Gordon opened Denver’s scoring inside, and Ivica Zubac added a dunk-and-one. Jokic had several successful finishes at the rim, and Denver gradually pulled ahead, highlighted by a no-look Jokic assist that Gordon converted for a three, giving the Nuggets a 17-16 lead.