Nuggets Vs Clippers: Mathurin's 38 lifts Clippers 115-114

Nuggets Vs Clippers — Bennedict Mathurin scored 38 in his home debut and the Clippers held off the Nuggets 115-114 on Feb. 19, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. The nuggets vs clippers contest was decided when Jamal Murray missed the third of three free throws with 0. 9 seconds remaining after a foul, and time expired on the rebound.

Nuggets Vs Clippers game recap

Mathurin was 12 of 22 from the field in his first appearance for Los Angeles after the trade deadline. Kawhi Leonard added 23 points and Derrick Jones Jr. had 22 as the Clippers closed out a one-point victory. Denver’s Nikola Jokic finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Jamal Murray scored 20, Bruce Brown had 19, and Cam Johnson and Julian Strawther added 18 points each.

The game included a late tie at 107-107 when Jokic scored inside with 46 seconds remaining. The Clippers then went up 115-112 on two free throws from Mathurin with nine seconds left. After a foul on the ensuing possession, Murray made the first two free throws but missed the third; time expired on the rebound, leaving the final at 115-114.

Key plays and final seconds

The decisive sequence centered on a foul that sent Murray to the line with under a second on the clock. Murray made the first two attempts and missed the third with 0. 9 seconds showing; the rebound ended the game immediately. Earlier in the fourth quarter the teams traded ties and leads, and tempers flared with 10: 27 remaining when players from both teams tangled under the Denver basket. Three players received technical fouls and Denver made one technical free throw to knot the score at 83-83 during that stretch.

Player performances and outlook

Mathurin’s 38-point home debut and Leonard’s 23 points — his 34th straight game with at least 20 — were central to the Clippers’ win. For Denver, Jokic’s 22 points and 17 rebounds anchored the offense and glass work while Murray’s 20 points included the late free-throw opportunity that nearly forced overtime. Denver was without Aaron Gordon (hamstring) for a 10th consecutive game, and Peyton Watson has missed the past four games — both absences were noted during the matchup.

The Clippers improved to 21-7 since Dec. 20, reflecting a sustained strong stretch for the team over that span. Both clubs were coming off the All-Star break. The Clippers are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, while Denver’s short-term rotation will continue to be affected by the noted hamstring absences. If Aaron Gordon remains sidelined, Denver’s lineup and minute distribution will continue to be a factor in upcoming matchups.

• Key takeaway: Mathurin’s 38 and Leonard’s consistency propelled a 115-114 road win for Los Angeles.
• Key takeaway: Jamal Murray missed a potential tying free throw with 0. 9 seconds left; time expired on the rebound.
• Key takeaway: Denver played without Aaron Gordon (10th straight missed game) and Peyton Watson (four missed games), which affected rotation depth.