Westbrook Shines Against Former Team

In a thrilling playoff opener, Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook proved he's still a force to be reckoned with. On Saturday, he delivered an electrifying performance off the bench, racking up 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, pivotal in leading his team to a nail-biting overtime victory against the Clippers.

Westbrook, traded and waived by the Clippers last summer, hit a crucial three-pointer in the game’s final moments and made several game-changing defensive plays. Interim coach David Adelman praised his defensively savvy displays, noting, “Russ is Russ. He was roaming around and impacting the game in a big way.”

The Clippers’ Defensive Strategy

Facing Westbrook, the Clippers employed a familiar tactic, allowing him space to shoot while stifling drives to the basket. Despite shooting 5-of-17, Westbrook’s tenacity shone through in crunch time, contributing significantly during the fourth quarter and overtime.

When asked about the Clippers' defensive strategy, Westbrook took a diplomatic route, saying, “We can talk about that more when we take care of business.”

Porter Jr.’s Struggles

While Westbrook was thriving, Michael Porter Jr. faced a rocky outing, scoring just three points in over 26 minutes. Adelman hinted at a shifting lineup approach, emphasizing the importance of players performing at their best. “If Mike comes out engaged and knocking down shots, he will be out there,