Westbrook fuels Nuggets' comeback to edge Clippers 112-110 in OT in teams' NBA playoff opener

DENVER (AP) — Russell Westbrook, whose late-game follies hung over the Denver Nuggets as they navigated the stunning dismissals of coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth on the eve of the playoffs, came up clutch against his former team in crunch time Saturday.

“That's who he is,” Nikola Jokic said after watching Westbrook hit an uncontested corner 3-pointer to give Denver a two-point lead late in regulation and then knocking the inbounds pass away from — and off of — James Harden with 9.6 seconds left in overtime to help seal Denver's 112-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

“I just know that (inbounds) play,” from being there the previous two seasons, Westbrook said.

Westbrook had plenty to do with L.A.'s whopping 20 turnovers, including an uncharacteristic seven from Kawhi Leonard.

“Russ is Russ,” interim coach David Adelman said after improving to 4-0. “Defensively, he's absolutely incredible. He was playing free safety out there. I thought a lot of the reasons why the turnovers happened, even if it wasn't him forcing it, (was) just the way he was roaming around and impacting the game.

“And then offensively ... he attacked," Adelman said. “We maybe could have pulled it out and executed. But that's what Russ does. I don't think he's going to change after 17 years. If he sees somebody in front of him 1-on-1, he's going to attack. And then he made an enormous 3.”

Jokic scored 29 points and finished one rebound shy of a triple-double. Aaron Gordon added 25 points and Jamal Murray 21 as the Nuggets overcame a 15-point first-half deficit to power past the hottest team entering the playoffs.

The No. 5 seed Clippers' loss was their first since March 30 at Cleveland. They rolled into the playoffs having won 18 of 21, including their last eight.

“If you turn over 20 times against the team that is No. 1 in offensive transition, then you’re gonna lose the game,” lamented Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.

Harden led the Clippers with 32 points. Leonard added 22 and Ivica Zubac had 21.

Leonard shrugged off the loss, saying the team’s mood was “still good. Just Game 1. You know, Denver’s a good team, especially at home. Still got Game 2.”

That’s Monday night at Ball Arena.

Adelman said the key to the late comeback was actually when Denver closed the second quarter on a 13-2 run to pull to 53-49 at halftime.

“It felt like one of those games where you’re just slowly crawling uphill,” Adelman said.

And Westbrook was leading the way, coming up big despite missing 12 of 17 shots overall.

“A lot of people put a lot of emphasis on missing so many shots,” Westbrook said. “But in the playoffs, all you need to do is just win the game. I don't give a damn about how many shots you miss, make. Just make winning basketball plays defensively, offensively.”

And he did just that.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, front left, dunks while Denver Nuggets forwards Peyton Watson, back left, and Michael Porter Jr. defend in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, argues after being called for a foul by referee Mark Lindsay, left, in overtime of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, defends in overtime of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, confers with guard Jamal Murray, right, in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, right, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, defends in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden defends in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, defends in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, defends in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves for his NHL-leading fifth shutout of the season, Anthony Duclair scored the game's only goal in the third period on the power play and the New York Islanders edged the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 on Thursday night.

Duclair broke the deadlock with 6:18 remaining in the third period after Calum Ritchie sent a backhand pass to him. Mathew Barzal also assisted on the goal, giving him 500 career points in his 576th game over 10 NHL seasons.

Leon Draisaitl — whose tripping penalty put the Islanders on the power play for their goal — nearly tied it with just over 30 seconds left, but his shot in close hit off the far post to the right of Sorokin.

Connor McDavid, who would've had an assist if Draisaitl's shot went in, had his 20-game points streak end. He joined Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey as the only three players in Oilers franchise history to have a points streak of at least 20 games.

It was the 27th career shutout for Sorokin, extending his franchise record. It was the Islanders' first shutout in Edmonton since Billy Smith also stopped 35 shots in New York's 2-0 victory in Game 1 of the 1983 Stanley Cup Final.

The Islanders, who have won four of six overall, had lost their last six games in Edmonton, dating to 2017. They were 1-12-0 against the Oilers in Edmonton since the 2007-08 season.

Connor Ingram made 17 saves for the Oilers, who have dropped three of their last four.

Islanders: Play at Calgary on Saturday.

Oilers: Play at Vancouver on Saturday night.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL

New York Islanders' Matthew Schaefer (48) takes a shot on net against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram (39) makes a save against New York Islanders' Kyle MacLean (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Anthony Duclair (11) celebrates with his teammates at the bench after a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Ilya Sorokin (30) makes a save the against Edmonton Oilers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Islanders' Calum Ritchie (64) checks Edmonton Oilers' Curtis Lazar (20) in front of Islanders' goalie Ilya Sorokin (30) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)