How many points did Jamal Murray score tonight against LA Clippers? (April 24)

Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets battled the LA Clippers on Thursday in the first-ever playoff game held at the Intuit Dome. Aiming to seize control of their first-round series, the Nuggets fell short as the Clippers rode a well-rounded effort to a dominant 117-83 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead.

Murray put on a strong showing, leading all scorers with 23 points on an efficient 8-for-15 shooting night. He went 1-for-4 from deep but converted all six of his free throws.

Nikola Jokic also delivered a big performance, matching Murray’s point total and notching a triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds. Aaron Gordon chipped in 15 as well.

However, beyond that trio, the rest of the Nuggets squad struggled, shooting just 8-for-32, as they couldn’t keep up with a Clippers team that had six players in double digits.

Kawhi Leonard turned in a strong all-around game with 21 points, 11 boards and six assists, while James Harden contributed 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds to pace LA.

Norman Powell poured in 20, Ivica Zubac added 19 points and nine rebounds, while Nicolas Batum and Derrick Jones Jr. chipped in 12 and 10 off the bench, respectively.

The Clippers were hot from deep, knocking down 18 of their 39 3-point attempts for a 46.2% clip, while the Nuggets struggled from range, hitting just seven of 26 attempts.

Denver will try to even the series at 2-2 in Game 4 on Saturday.

Below are Jamal Murray’s full stats.

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
Jamal Murray	36:18	23	0	4	8	15	53.3	1	4	25.0	6	6	100	0	0	1	0	3	3	-15

Jamal Murray identifies 36-year-old Clippers vet as X-factor

After the game, Jamal Murray was asked which Clippers player had surprised him with their impact or caused problems for the Nuggets he didn’t see coming.

Murray noted the whole team had been solid, but then pointed specifically to Nic Batum. He then expressed surprise to hear Batum is already 36.

"Batum is crazy," he said. "I don't know how old he is. No dip 3s and spacing really well, full-court press, you don't expect that out of a (36-year-old).

"I just think his activity, his IQ — he's been doing a really good job. We gotta we gotta take that away. He's been really that X factor for them, in my opinion."

Through the first three games of the series, Batum has quietly made his mark, averaging 9.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting an efficient 52.8% from the field and 52.9% from beyond the arc.