Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray looked ready, but that wasn’t enough for the Nuggets to beat the Clippers on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Here are three takeaways from the Nuggets’ 122-110 setback at Intuit Dome:
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1. Coming off the best regular season of his career, Jamal Murray didn’t need the preseason to restore faith from Nuggets nation, but Wednesday’s game eased any concerns. Murray scored 14 points on eight shots in the first half and sat out the second half with the rest of the starters. After being unavailable for the preseason opener, Murray went a combined 5 for 15 in his first two preseason games. He looked more like himself Wednesday. Whether he plays Friday against the Lakers seems inconsequential. Murray looks ready for the regular season to start Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Baba Miller (18) and forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5) defend Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
2. Denver’s bench is running short on meaningful time to gel. Adelman and reserve point guard Tyus Jones acknowledged it was all a work in progress after Tuesday’s practice. DeMar DeRozan rested Wednesday, while Marvin Bagley III returned to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a minor injury. That leaves Friday’s preseason finale against the Lakers for Denver’s expected second unit to gain chemistry. It might seem inconsequential, but the Nuggets are going to need the second unit and Adelman said Tuesday he wants to play a five-man reserve unit to start the season. DeRozan looks like the offensive hub, but there hasn’t been much substance to back that idea throughout the preseason.
3. Pay no mind to Nikola Jokic’s stat line before the season officially starts. He pretty much refused to shoot in the preseason opener when he prioritized getting other players involved. Then, he ramped up in the second preseason game and posted a triple-double in the third. Wednesday, he recorded 5 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in fewer than 17 minutes.
CLIPPERS 122, NUGGETS 110
What happened: Denver trailed 58-55 at halftime but dropped to 2-2 in the preseason with a game to go.
What went right: Trevon Brazile continued to exceed expectations. The rookie dropped 22 points on 10 shots. Brazile played meaningful minutes with the starters in the first half and added two rebounds, one steal and a block.
What went wrong: Julian Strawther left in the third quarter after an awkward fall and did not return. The team ruled the fourth-year guard out with a left-knee injury.
Highlight of the night: Jamal Murray threw a behind-the-back pass to Nikola Jokic in the pocket before Jokic kicked it out to Aaron Gordon for an open 3-pointer.
Up next: The Nuggets stay in Los Angeles to close the preseason against the Lakers on Friday.