Denver Nuggets interim coach David Adelman expressed his satisfaction with Russell Westbrook’s aggressive play, which contributed to their Game 1 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite a slow start, the Nuggets managed a 112-110 overtime win in the first game of the NBA playoff best-of-seven series. Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and was just one rebound shy of a triple-double, while Aaron Gordon added 25 points.
Westbrook’s performance was crucial in the final moments of regulation and overtime, securing the win for Denver. He ended with 15 points on 5-for-17 shooting, with 10 of those points coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. His defensive prowess was highlighted by a key play where he deflected an inbound pass intended for James Harden, forcing a turnover with only 10 seconds left.
“Russ is Russ,” said Adelman after the game, smiling. “Defensively, he was absolutely incredible. He was playing free safety out there.” Adelman praised Westbrook’s ability to disrupt the Clippers’ plays, noting that even when he wasn’t directly causing turnovers, his presence made a significant impact. Offensively, Westbrook’s aggressive approach remained unchanged after 17 years in the league.
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The victory marked the fourth consecutive win for the Nuggets since Michael Malone was replaced by Adelman as interim coach. Westbrook had previously played for the Clippers over two seasons. However, Los Angeles chose to give him space to focus on Jokic’s threat during this matchup.
Despite his significant contribution, Westbrook downplayed his impact, acknowledging that Denver still has work ahead to advance in this playoff round. Reflecting on his time with the Clippers, he noted how it helped him anticipate and force turnovers at critical moments.
“We can talk about that [the Clippers’ choice to give him space] more when we take care of business,” Westbrook stated. He explained his familiarity with certain plays from his time with Los Angeles allowed him to effectively disrupt them.
The next game is scheduled for Monday in Denver as both teams prepare for Game 2 of this intense series.